Nagashiki Shipping, the owner of the grounded bulker that has leaked 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil onto the island of Mauritius, now has two tankers on site to take fuel from the vessel.
The move comes as an environmental catastrophe unfolds which is staining the islands pristine beaches and reefs with heavy fuel oil.
Expert teams from Japan, France and Mauritius are attempting to contain pollution caused by the fuel that has leaked from the 203,000-dwt Wakashio (built 2007) so far.
Breakage fears
But there are concerns salvage operations could soon be thrown into chaos if the vessel breaks in two.
There were 4,000 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil and diesel on the ship when it grounded on 25 July.
Nagashiki said the 902-dwt Elise (built 2011) and 2,924-dwt Tresta Star (built 2019) are on site and are starting to lighter fuel from the ship. The Elise has already secured a line to the Wakashio’s tanks while the Tresta Star is on standby.
Smit Salvage is working on the operation. Nagashiki said a tug has secured a tow rope to the Wakashio and another tug has arrived at the Port of St Louis with additional salvage equipment.
Air assistance
Helicopters are being used to transfer containers filled with recovered oil away from the site.
Oil spill experts from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation are advising the owner and the Mauritius government on the pollution and possible effects, including the monitoring of oil flow and tidal patterns.
The vessel's Japanese owner said: "Nagashiki Shipping deeply apologises to the people of Mauritius and will do their utmost protect the environment and mitigate the effects of the pollution."
However, the environmental crisis is deepening on the island.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said cracks on the ship have worsened. "The risk of the boat breaking in half still exists," he said.
The vessel was operated by Mitsui OSK Lines when the accident happened. At a Tokyo press conference company vice president Akihiko Ono apologised and promised to "make all-out efforts to resolve the case".
The spill could be disastrous for the islands economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism.
The site of the disaster at Pointe d’Esny is the location of some of the island's famous reefs, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries and is close to the Blue Bay Marine Park.
The east of the island has been blackened by the leaking fuel oil. Locals have been pitching in to try to contain the developing environmental disaster.
