South Africa’s Ultra Galaxy Bulker Broke up During Storms, Oil Spill Response Underway

Over the weekend, the bulker that capsized and washed ashore on the west coast of South Africa broke up during storms. The South African Maritime Safety Administration (SAMSA) is working with local authorities to contain an oil spill and initiate clean-up efforts in the region. Officials had planned to install a monitoring system on the Ultra Galaxy, a 13,800 dwt vessel, to measure stresses on the hull. However, further storms delayed their efforts, leading to the vessel breaking apart due to the constant battering from 6.8-meter swells.

As of Sunday night, SAMSA reported that the Ultra Galaxy had broken into four sections as a result of the severe weather conditions. Salvors had managed to seal the fuel oil tanks to prevent a spill and had already removed lube oil drums and marine gas oil from the wreck. More than 125 people have been mobilized to assist in the clean-up efforts and search for debris along the coast, with an oil spill contingency plan activated to address any environmental impact.

Despite ongoing adverse weather conditions, salvage operations have been temporarily suspended for safety reasons. The Ultra Galaxy, which developed a severe list in heavy storms on July 8 while en route to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, remains stranded on the coast. SAMSA plans to resume salvage work once it is safe to access the wreck, with the assistance of a Platform Supply Vessel and additional equipment for fuel removal and salvage operations.

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