Limburg

The incident

On 6 October 2002, the French double-hull oil tanker the Limburg, ladded with 57,000 tonnes of heavy crude oil, was hit by explosives from a small craft near the oil terminal of Ash Shihr (Yemen). The explosion perforated the starboard tank, leading to a fire which lasted 36 hours and spilled 12,000 tonnes of crude oil at sea.

Pollution and impacts

• Impacted area: 70 km of coastline were polluted (from Riyan to Mayfaa) by burning residue (tar balls and patties), slicks were noticed at sea.
• Estimated volume: 300 to 400 m³ of viscous residue on land, 30 m³ of crude emulsions at sea.
• Fauna: Crab colonies severely impacted, no visible impact on birds or fishes.

Spill response and crisis management

• Investigation mission: Delegation of French experts (BEA-Mer, CEDRE) sent out to assess damages and suggest an action plan.
• Monitoring of pollution: aerial (three flyovers) and on land (six operations) with monitoring of slick drift, submerged slicks, polluted coastline, and presence of burning residue.
• Cleaning:
• Priorities: Beaches and rocky areas with an economic or recreational interest by manual collection.
• Training: 100 local workers trained by the OSRL and Le Floch Depollution.
• Command centre: Established in Al Mukalla under the authority of the port captain.

Conclusions and developments

• Moderate pollution: Low to moderate intensity, but national action plan for pollution response was non-existent in Yemen.
• International cooperation: Effectiveness of experts (CEDRE, ITOPF, IMO) and specialised companies.
• Suggestions: Elaboration of a national action plan for Yemen.