Cargo ship detained near Ceuta by Spain after fuel leak detected

Spanish authorities have detained a German-operated cargo ship, the Tony Stark, for causing an oil spill during a refueling operation near Ceuta, a Spanish enclave. The ship, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, cannot leave the port until the owners pay a 120,000 euros deposit. The operator, NautiCore Shipping, has not yet commented on the situation.

Last week, fuel oil traces were discovered off Benítez beach, the port breakwaters, and San Amaro beach in Ceuta, leading to the estimated spill of one ton of fuel. The Spanish merchant fleet has initiated disciplinary proceedings to determine the final fine for the incident. In a separate event, three beaches near Valencia were closed due to fuel from an unknown oil spill washing up on a 2km stretch of sand.

The cause of the oil spill near Valencia remains unclear, while the Tony Stark’s oil spill off Ceuta has resulted in the detention of the cargo ship. Spanish authorities are taking action to address the environmental impact and hold accountable those responsible for the spills, with investigations ongoing to determine the exact circumstances leading to the incidents.

Source .