Greece's Spanopoulos Group has completed the salvage of a tanker that caused a major oil spill on the beaches of Athens.
The wreck of Agia Zoni Shipping's 3,200-dwt Agia Zoni II (built 1972) has been safely dismantled and transferred temporarily to nearby facilities to carry out inspections, the company said.
The salvor used a floating crane, tugs, anti-pollution vessels and a specialised diving crew.
The operation took five days. The vessel went down on 10 September off Salamis island.
Owner Mihalis Spanopoulos said: “From the very first moments, a demanding battle was fought and the response was immediate with awareness for the environment, in order to eliminate the consequences of oil spill in the sea and at the coastal areas.
"With the removal of this harmful polluter, we managed to mitigate the risk that could more adversely affect the environment.
"Hearty congratulations go out to the whole salvage and OSR team that participated in the operation with a great deal of zeal, persistent work and professionalism."
The company will next week begin an operation to raise an overturned and semi-submerged cargoship at Astakos port.
