SAMSA Ramps up Efforts to Collect Debris From Containers Lost Overboard Vessels on the Indian Ocean

With several dozens of containers having fallen off cargo vessels on the country’s eastern seaboard recently, due to bad wintry weather, and some of their contents – including pharmaceutical material – now washing up on hundreds of kilometres of the Indian Ocean coastline, the South African Maritime Safety Authority SAMSA) has ramped up collection efforts.

SAMSA, in a statement on Friday afternoon said: “The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is currently in the process of coordinating the cleanup and recovery of shipping containers, flotsam, associated pollutants, and products washing ashore along the South-East coastline of South Africa between the Wild Coast and Mossel Bay.

“This follows the loss of containers from at least three vessels over the past six weeks due to adverse weather conditions. In addition to the flotsam, SAMSA is closely monitoring pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that continue to wash ashore. The public is urged not to consume these items under any circumstances as they may pose serious health risks.”

SAMSA announced that working in collaboration with relevant authorities and the owners of the affected vessel a monitoring, recovery and clean-up plan had been rolled out across the affected area.

“Environmental cleaning companies, Extreme Projects and SpillTech, have been appointed to lead the clean-up efforts. They have set up collection points for debris washing ashore, and the public is encouraged to call the toll-free number 063 404 2128 to report sightings of containers, pharmaceutical bottles, or other debris and to obtain information on the location of drop-off points.

“Members of the public can also report sightings to their local municipality or contact the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on 021 938 3300,” said SAMSA

Update on other related incidents

Oil spill: Algoa Bay

Meanwhile in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, the cleaning up of an oil spill off a cargo vessel currently berthed in Algoa Bay continues, while an investigation into the cause is underway, SAMSA reported of the incident that occured earlier in September 2024.

Shortly after the oil spill discovery, SAMSA confirmed that a handful of penguins in the vicinity were found to have been oiled, and had been evacuated for cleaning.

Said SAMSA: “On 10 September, (Monday) SANParks rangers accessed St. Croix Island and identified six oiled penguins—three heavily oiled and three lightly oiled. The penguins were captured and transported to the local SANCCOB facility for treatment. However, two additional oiled penguins evaded capture. Efforts are ongoing to locate and capture them.

“Further wildlife surveillance in the area is being coordinated with SANCCOB. The public is urged to report any sightings of oiled birds to SANCCOB, and any oiled mammals should be reported to Bayworld officials. Surveillance and monitoring of the affected areas will continue, weather permitting, to mitigate any environmental impact.”

As of the past week, indications by the incident management committee of the Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) led by SAMSA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) were that the oil spill had since been successfully contained and cleaned up, with daily monitoring of the coastline in Algoa Bay returning reports of no further oil spill residue spotted. Additionally, no further wild life was found as affected.

The vessel involved remains in Algoa Bay while an investigation into the incident is underway.

Smoke on cargo vessel : Richards Bay

A cargo vessel, the MV Measrk Cincinatti had to be berthed in Richards Bay a Sunday ago after smoke was detected onboard, both SAMSA and the vessel owner representatives confirmed.

In a brief report, A.P Moller-Maersk Indian Subcontinent, Middle East & Africa senior Media Relations Officer, Adhish Alawani stated: “We can confirm that smoke was reported from a cargo hold on one of our time-chartered vessels, Maersk Cincinnati, around midnight local South African time on September 15, 2024, while the vessel was sailing from Colombo to Port Tanger Med.

“Maersk Cincinnati is a 15,500 TEU vessel operating on the AE7 service and flies the Hong Kong flag. There were no visible flames, and the temperature in the cargo hold remained under control. Smoke is no longer visible. The crew immediately responded and initiated the required safety protocols on the vessel.

“The ship owners have reported that all the crew members are safe and accounted for. The vessel owners are in touch with the crew to ensure they receive all possible support. The vessel is in stable condition, with all machinery, steering and navigational equipment fully operational,” said Mr Alawani

Grounded MV Ultra Galaxy wreck removal progress, West Coast.

The monitoring of the wreck of the Panama-flagged general cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, as well as the location of its surroundings on South Africa’s west coast on the Atlantic Ocean continues, pending the formal appointment of salvors to retrieve the vessel’s remains from the shoreline.

In a brief statement this past week, SAMSA confirmed that the tender period for the removal of the wreck had recently been closed with the vessel owner’s insurers, P&I and salvage experts now engagedd with assessment of the tenders received. “Once done, the preferred options will be presented to SAMSA for consideration,” read the statement.

In terms of the conditions on location of the wreck, SAMSA said: “The situation is the same with no significant change in the wreck or her position. In terms of clean up of the oil spill, the response teams remain on the beaches with a huge team to ensure that any, and all debris or oily recharge – even as very minor at this stage – is picked up.”

Read More at SAMSA

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