Emergency coal dumping approval in South Africa

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa has approved the emergency request from the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the salvage team working of the stricken Panamanian flagged vessel MV Smart to dump 10000 tons coal from the vessel in to the sea as an interim measure.

About 50 000 of tons coal spilt into the ocean soon after the vessel ran aground. MV Smart, a bulk carrier that ran aground in Richards Bay last month, has spilt in two, making it almost impossible for the salviors to carry out other alternative dumping solutions.

The approval of emergency dumping of coal came after extensive consultation between the Department, SAMSA, the salvors, the uMhlatuze Municipality, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development.

Although there are important estuaries such as the uMfolozi, uMlalazi and the uMlathuze Sanctuary near the area where the vessel ran aground, the area directly around the vessel is not a biological diversity hot spot. It is, however an industrial area which is dredged annually. Nonetheless, the Department will do all it takes to ensure that these neighbouring estuaries are not affected by the salvage operation.

The Department is of the view that given the circumstances under which the salvage operation is taking place, and in consideration of the reasons provided by SAMSA, dumping coal in the sea is a viable solution. However, the process of dumping coal in the sea has to comply and be consistent with the prescripts of the Integrated Coastal Management Act (IMC) and London Convention Protocol on Marine Environment Protection.

As dictated by the IMC Act and London Convention and Protocol, disposal at sea under an emergency permit would need to be conducted in a manner that minimises the impact on the marine environment. To this end, DEA will, in collaboration with other local environmental authorities, continue to monitor the salvage process to ensure that the marine environment is not compromised.

Source: DEA (South Africa)

Read more about the MV Smart grounding in the Safety4Sea articles