Fu Shan Hai/Gdynia

On 31 May 2003, the Chinese bulk carrier Fu Shan Hai collided with the Cypriot container ship Gdynia off Bornholm Island (Denmark). Due to the blow, the Fu Shan Hai was severely damaged and began to sink and leak. There were 66,000 tonnes of potash, 1, 800 tonnes of fuel oil and 110 tonnes of diesel oil and lubricants aboard.

The crew of the Chinese ship was evacuated by a rescue vessel. The Fu Shan Hai was towed but 8 hours after the collision, the bulk carrier sank in waters 68 m deep where it continued to leak.

Eleven Swedish and Danish response vessels were sent onsite. During overflights, it could be easily observed that they were operating in oil using sweep arms and integral skimming pumps of external skimmers.

Two days after the ship sank, an oil slick of about 12 km long and 3 km wide was observed off the Swedish coast. A few days later and even with the intervention of oil-combating vessels, oil polluted the shores and cliffs of Christianø Island (Denmark). Cleaning operations were carried out on the shoreline.

At the same time, after 11 days of response at sea, Danish and Swedish teams recovered 1,200 tonnes of oil.

At sea and on land recovery operations cost 89 million Swedish Krona, i.e. 8.8 million Euros.

Sources:

- Danish Maritime Authority, 2003, Casualty report – Collision between Chinese bulk carrier Fu Shan Hai and Cypriot container vessel Gdynia
- Ingmar Bergström, 2006, The “Fu Shan Hai” accident – May 31, 2003
- EMSA, 2004, Action plan for oil pollution preparedness and response
- Centre for Ocean and Ice