AMI had prevented a major pollution incident by the successful shipment of urgent supplies needed for the containment of an oil spill, following the sinking of freighter MV Southern Phoenix in Suva Harbour, Fiji last week.

 

Working on behalf of Solid Cargo Management of Sydney, AMI received the emergency response cargo comprising of 77 pieces, including oil containment booms, bunker hoses, engineering tools and safety equipment. It then packed the 8,406 kilos of cargo onto aircraft pallets and arranged to fly it from Sydney to Nadi (North Fiji), for onward transport to the casualty site at Suva Harbour (South Fiji). Delivery was made within 48 hours.

 

Jason Papworth, AMI’s NSW Branch Manager said “AMI successfully delivered the goods inside the deadline, despite a last-minute offload due to aircraft trim. We were very pleased to play a part in minimising the environmental impact of the sinking.”

 

The 89 metre vessel had developed a severe list following loading at its berth and was towed to a safe location away from the port area. Emergency effort was immediately mounted to prevent a potential escape of 213 tonnes of fuel oil on board.