The IMO and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)/United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA) Joint Environment Unit have jointly deployed an specialist on oil spill response. Due to COVID-19 travel bans and border closures in Mauritius, the expert is waiting for a specially chartered UN flight from Nairobi following COVID tests.

Approximately 3,894 tons of low-sulphur fuel oil, 207 tons of diesel oil and 90 tons of lubricant oil were on board MV Wakashio. The amount of oil leaked after extreme weather conditions. The affected area is situated in a very vulnerable location, which includes the Blue Bay Marine Park, the Iles aux Aigrettes and the Ramsar sites.

In addition to IMO and OCHA, the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP) Mauritius and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) are now mobilizing environmental and oil spill experts. A number of nations, including France and Japan, are also assisting Mauritius, which has triggered its national contingency plan for oil spills.

Maritime Business World