On Friday 15th April 2022, the bunker tanker Xelo carrying 750 tons of diesel fuel issued a distress signal requesting to enter Tunisian waters due to bad weather, reporting water ingress and flooded engine room, at Gabes Anchorage, Tunisia. The vessel later sank in the Gulf of Gabes off the south-eastern coast of Tunisia on Saturday 16th April 2022. The tanker is 58 meters long and 09 meters wide. All 07 crew members (Georgian, Turkish and Azerbaijani nationalities) were evacuated by Tunisian authorities.
Mr. Mohamed Karray, spokesman for a court in Gabes said that "There are minimal leaks, which are not even visible to the naked eye and fortunately the oil is evaporating, so there should not be a disaster in the Gulf of Gabes". It was also reported that small amounts of liquids in the form of engine oil have leaked from the Tanker. At the same time. there is a 24/7 pollution watch whilst salvage operations are ongoing.
The Tunisia's Ministry of Environment quickly activated the National emergency response plan to combat marine pollution events following the sinking of the bunker tanker with the aim of bringing the appropriate response to control and avoid the spread of pollutants.
Mme. Leila Chikhaoui, the Minister of Environment was traveling to Gabes on Sunday 17th April 2022 to coordinate with regional officials, she told state television that "the situation is under control". Several other ministries such as National Defence, Interior, Transport and the Customs were also said to be coordinating under the national framework to avoid "a marine environmental disaster in the region and limit any impact from this incident".
Mr. Rabii Mjidi, the Minister of Transport stated that “the tanks of the tanker were properly closed according to the declarations of crew members and the results of diving operations carried out by the Tunisian Navy in order to inspect the hull of the tanker and ascertain its state”.
The Ministry of Environment stated “We are waiting for the weather, winds and swell to improve, to allow divers to check with more certainty the condition of the hull and cargo, and undertake the necessary measures such as bringing the vessel closer to shore in order to secure the cargo, engine oil and everything else”.
Whilst there is no reported release of cargo, given the sensitivity of the area and public concerns response measures were conducted through the deployment of Offshore booms anchored around the Bunker Tanker to protect shorelines, mitigate the risk of environmental and ecological damage should a release occur. Approximately 05 tons of engine oil have been recovered by the Office of Merchant Marine and Ports (OMMP) response team.
MOIG contacted the National Committee on Saturday 16th April 2022 for an update on the ongoing incident and to offer any technical support that may be required through its members and technical partners. MOIG Members and Technical Partners throughout the Mediterranean region raised concerns since the ccurrence offering support. MOIG illustrated our databases of available expertise and resources available within Tunisia and from throughout the Mediterranean Region. MOIG is in constant contact with the National Committee and remains available at any time to provide technical assistance, if requested. This is clearly an example of cooperation in the times of need.