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Swedish Maritime Accident Investigation Board closes case of oil spill

The shipping company TT-Line has taken note of the recommendations following the major oil spill from the 'Marco Polo' after it ran aground off Blekinge in October 2023. This was the assessment of the Swedish Maritime Accident Investigation Board, which is was now closing the case. The board assessed that the TT-Line has followed the six recommendations given by the Swedish Maritime Accident Investigation Board after the incident. Among other things, more training for personnel and emergency drills were recommended. The Swedish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has also proposed that the government should investigate how major shipping accidents can be better handled.

Traces of oil pollution are still appearing and could cause problems

Since the 'Marco Polo' ran aground in Hanö Bay on Oct 22, 2024,, the municipality of Sölvesborg has invested significant resources in removing the heavy oil from beaches and nature. Most of the oil is now gone, but traces of pollution are still appearing and could cause problems. A total of 60tons of heavy oil were spilled, which led to a major environmental disaster with dead seabirds and injured marine mammals. Despite the fact that the most urgent efforts are complete, the Sölvesborg municipality continues to find oil lumps and stains. In mid-March, it will intensify the work more and go through the stretches once more. The clean-up effort has cost approximately SEK 55 million, mainly financed by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. The shipping company TT-Line paid SEK 1.6 million to the County Administrative Board in Blekinge. Some areas are already open to visitors, but the formal end date is decided by the Blekinge West Environmental Association. If more oil is found afterwards, the municipality will still move out again. On the islands nearby, stained nesting sites have been cleaned, but more follow-up is expected with a time horizon of five to ten years.

TT Line responds on Accident Investigation Report

The shipping company TT Line has responded to the Swedish Maritime Accident Investigation Board's criticism and expressed its deep regret over the oil disaster. The report had showed that the accident was caused by deficiencies in the crew and the ship's equipment. The TT-line has now provided its statement on the criticism and mentioned, among other things, that it has updated its safety management system (SMS) based on its thorough analysis of the incident and will review and analyze the SHK report carefully with a focus on further improving the SMS by implementing appropriate conclusions.