Trinidad and Tobago's government confirmed on Friday that a fuel oil spill off Tobago's coast is spreading into the Caribbean Sea, posing a threat to several countries' coastlines. The spill originates from a barge that struck a reef and overturned, releasing an estimated 35,000 barrels of intermediate fuel oil into the waters.
The incident was first detected by Trinidad's Coast Guard on February 7, after the barge, towed by a tugboat, capsized near Tobago's shore. Analysis by Trinidad's energy ministry identified the substance as refined fuel oil, commonly used as bunker fuel for combustion engines.
Allan Stewart, head of Tobago's emergency department, reported that the rate of leakage has significantly decreased. Despite this improvement, the spill has already impacted Tobago's coastline, adversely affecting the fishing and tourism industries. Additionally, the fuel has reached the waters off Grenada, raising concerns about broader environmental consequences.
Efforts to contain the spill include the deployment of containment booms, skimmers, and other cleanup equipment. Stewart emphasized the importance of preventing the hydrocarbons from reaching Tobago's sensitive southwest beaches, which are popular tourist destinations.
The barge was en route from Panama to Guyana when it encountered difficulties near Tobago. Investigative reports by TankerTrackers.com and Bellingcat, based on satellite imagery, suggest that the barge began leaking oil as early as February 3, shortly after departing Venezuela's Pozuelos Bay, and capsized by February 6. Venezuela has denied that the barge originated from its territory.
The ongoing spill highlights the environmental risks associated with maritime transport in the region and underscores the need for robust emergency response mechanisms to mitigate such incidents.
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Trinidad government confirms fuel oil is leaking off Tobago's coast
cgtn.com
