Authorities estimated that the Dublin Express container ship released approximately 100.000 gallons of heavy fuel oil, when voyaging along the East Coast to New York and in the Arthur Kill.
Specifically, the oil spill was firstly reported to the Coast Guard Sector New York on March 28, near the Goethals Bridge in Arthur Kill waterway in Staten Island, New York. Its source was confirmed as a commercial container ship while moored at the Global Marine New York Container Terminal.
According to a statement published on Monday, April 8, the responsible authorities for the oil response, evaluated the data collected by Coast Guard marine investigators and vessel representatives, stated that up to 100,000 gallons of heavy fuel-oil was likely released by the vessel during its transit along the East Coast to New York.
In the meantime, the Unified Command supports that the total amount of the oily-water recovered was about 35.000 gallons.
Tar balls coming from the vessel have been confirmed at a seaside park in Queens, N.Y. Teams have also identified a small amount of tar balls in Atlantic Beach and are evaluating them to confirm the source. Four oiled birds have been recovered.
The estimation of the oil spill follows the vessel’s clearance to depart from the terminal, following repairs and cleaning of the vessel.
Additionally, Hapag-Lloyd, the operator of the vessel, commented that
Yesterday evening, a hole was detected in the hull of the Hapag-Lloyd container ship “Dublin Express” during unloading operations in the Global Marine New York Container Terminal. Fuel was escaping from the roughly 40 x 40-centimetre opening. The hole was sealed during the night. In addition, extensive containment booms were promptly set out to prevent any additional spreading of the oil and to proactively protect nearby nature reserves.
In light of the oil spill incident, Capt. Jason Tama, Federal On-Scene Coordinator responded that they take any release of oil into the marine environment very serious.
Cleanup operations in the area are expected to continue until all impacted parts of the Arthur Kill Waterway are fully restored.