The wreck removal of a bulk carrier aground of Gibraltar since August last year will not be completed by the planned end of May deadline.
Dutch salvage company Koole Contractors has notified the Gibraltar Port Authority that the work to remove the stranded hull of the 35,362-dwt OS 35 (built 1990) will not now be completed until 16 June.
In a revised plan the aft section will be made airtight and floated out on the 29 May. The forward section, which will be placed on barges, will follow on 2 June.
The port authority said there is still a risk that some oil residue may escape during the operation.
Plans are being drawn up to minimise any possible oil pollution and protect the nearby Catalan Bay and Sandy Bay ahead of the upcoming bathing season.
“The works to remove the OS 35 are progressing well, but the reality of the state of the wreck is dictating the pace of operations,” said Captain of the port Jon Ghio.
“It is vital that every stage is completed in a way that is careful, deliberate and safe. Whilst the short delay for its final removal is unfortunate, this is the only safe way to do so that mitigates the potential future source of pollution and minimises the impact on the environment and Gibraltar’s coastline.”
The OS 35 was deliberately grounded off Gibraltar after it had become involved in a collision with the 165,000-cbm gas carrier Adam LNG (built 2014) which was at anchor.
