Working Conditions Aboard the W-M-F-Express

The 'Holstein Express,' operated by the Dutch firm Livestock Express BV, has been officially released following a significant fuel discharge incident at the Alfau Pier in Ceuta. On January 14 at 3:00 p.m., the company settled a penalty of 370,000 Euros levied by the Maritime Captaincy. The incident, which occurred during the vessel's refueling process, resulted in a spill of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 liters of 0.5% sulfur Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), a situation attributed to human error. In the aftermath, the Maritime Captaincy imposed two bonds totaling 250,000 Euros to ensure compliance with potential sanctions during the ongoing investigation, with possible fines that could reach up to 600,000 Euros. The cleaning and remediation efforts have already incurred expenses amounting to 120,000 Euros. As cleanup operations continue at the Alfau Pier, the 'Holstein Express' departed the port at 6:00 p.m. on the same day, en route to Sines with an estimated arrival on January 15. For more detailed coverage, view the Spanish report [here](https://elforodeceuta.es/capitania-libera-buque-contaminante-holstein-pago-370000-euros-fianza/).

On January 11, 2023, Jesús Fernández Lera, the Harbour Master of Ceuta, convened with inspectors from the Maritime Captaincy and legal representatives of the 'Holstein Express.' The meeting addressed the significant oil spill incident that occurred while the vessel was refueling at Alfau Dock, where approximately five tons of fuel oil were discharged. Following the adoption of precautionary measures, the ship is expected to secure its release from Ceuta's port once bail bonds are settled. This payment is anticipated to occur on January 13, 2023. The bond includes a total of €370,000, comprising €250,000 in bail along with an additional €120,000 in penalties for cleanup expenses related to the spill's impact on the dock area. The bond is the responsibility of the captain, the shipowner, and their respective P&I insurance company. Cleanup efforts are reportedly progressing well, allowing for the prompt resumption of activities in the area. The 'Holstein Express' has already changed berths to facilitate ongoing cleaning operations. Although the Alfau quay will undergo gradual restoration, it is not expected to hinder port activities resuming on January 13. Preliminary investigations indicate that the spill resulted from human error, as the ship's safety management protocols were not adhered to during the refueling, leading to an overflow from one of the fuel tanks.

The livestock carrier, 'Holstein Express,' was the source of a significant fuel spill in Ceuta on January 10, 2020, at around 4 a.m. The incident occurred at the Alfau dock, leading to an unfortunate leak of approximately four tons of fuel that affected the Levante pier, the boathouse, and the fishing port. In response, the Port Authority promptly activated its anti-pollution protocols. Workers from Ecoceuta were deployed to tackle the spill, effectively deploying absorbent towels to soak up the fuel while also replacing them as they became saturated. Operations at key locations including the east dike, the Alfau dock, and varadero were suspended as efforts intensified to clean both the water and the ship’s exterior, alongside the quayside docks. An anti-pollution barrier spanning 150 meters was also established to mitigate further environmental impact. Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident occurred during the bunkering process of the 'Holstein Express,' where one of the fuel tanks overflowed due to improper management of onboard valves. This malfunction may stem from negligence by the crew, who reportedly failed to monitor the remaining fuel in the tank, or it could indicate a technical fault with the fuel meter that failed to signal the tank's capacity accurately. Further inquiries will be conducted by inspectors from the Maritime Captaincy, who boarded the vessel to elucidate the circumstances surrounding the spill and determine any potential penalties. Full coverage of the incident, complete with photographs and videos, is available in Spanish through multiple local news outlets.