Tue 15 Sep 2009 09:16

Bunker spill captain faces court in November


The master of the Pacific Adventurer faces a charge of disposal of oil in coastal waters.



The master of the Pacific Adventurer cargo vessel that spilled 270 tonnes of bunker fuel off Australia's Moreton Island earlier this year will face court in November.

Filipino national, Captain Bernardino Gonzales Santos, 47, has been charged with disposal of oil in coastal waters, which carries a fine of up to $350,000. He is due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 16th after the matter was adjourned on Monday.

The bunker spill took place on March 11th 2009, when the Hong Kong-flagged Pacific Adventurer was travelling from Newcastle to Brisbane. 31 containers of ammonium nitrate broke loose in rough seas in the wake of Cyclone Hamish and a falling container damaged the ship's hull where the heavy fuel oil was stored, causing the bunker fuel to leak into the open sea.

Following the incident, vessel operator Swire Shipping said that it accepted responsibility in connection with the incident and, after lengthy talks with the Queensland government, reached an agreement in August with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to make a payment of $A25 million ($21 million) as compensation.

The Pacific Adventurer has since be renamed Pacific Mariner.


Lease agreement between Inter Terminals Sweden and the Port of Gothenburg, signed on July 1st. Pictured: Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Port of Gothenburg (left) and Johan Zettergren, Managing Director of Inter Terminals Sweden (right). New Gothenburg lease an opportunity to expand green portfolio: Inter Terminals  

Bunker terminal operator eyes tank conversion and construction projects for renewable products.

Map of US Gulf. Peninsula extends US Gulf operation offshore  

Supplier to focus on Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) in strategy to serve growing client base.

The M/T Jutlandia Swan, operated by Uni-Tankers. Uni-Tankers vessel gets wind-assisted propulsion  

Fourth tanker sails with VentoFoil units as manufacturer says suction wing technology is gaining traction.

Port of Gothenburg Energy Port. Swedish biomethane bunkered in Gothenburg  

Test delivery performed by St1 and St1 Biokraft, who aim to become large-scale suppliers.

Image from Cockett Marine Oil presentation. Cockett to be closed down after 45 years  

End of an era as shareholders make decision based on 'non-core nature' of Cockett's business.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras confirms prompt availability of VLS B24 at Rio Grande  

Lead time for barge deliveries currently five days.

Opening of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 83rd Session, April 7, 2025. IMO approves pricing mechanism based on GHG intensity thresholds  

Charges to be levied on ships that do not meet yearly GHG fuel intensity reduction targets.

Preemraff Göteborg, Preem's wholly owned refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. VARO Energy expands renewable portfolio with Preem acquisition  

All-cash transaction expected to complete in the latter half of 2025.

Pictured: Biofuel is supplied to NYK Line's Noshiro Maru. The vessel tested biofuel for Tohoku Electric Power in a landmark first for Japan. NYK trials biofuel in milestone coal carrier test  

Vessel is used to test biofuel for domestic utility company.

Pictured (from left): H-Line Shipping CEO Seo Myungdeuk and HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol at the contract signing ceremony for the construction of an 18,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel. H-Line Shipping orders LNG bunkering vessel  

Vessel with 18,000-cbm capacity to run on both LNG and MDO.


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