Pollution experts arrive in Fiji after minor oil spill

Two pollution experts have arrived in Fiji from Maritime New Zealand to assist the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji response team prepare for any major oil spill which may occur from the submerged cargo ship, Southern Phoenix.

CEO John Tunidau says they had an emergency meeting with the New Zealand Embassy Officials and requested the facilitation of assistance as a precautionary measure with Tropical Cyclone Ella approaching.

He says they have an oil spill equipment on standby in Lautoka and is prepared to mobilize a full response if required.

The area around the submerged cargo ship remains contained by the oil spill booms and minor leakages are cleaned and pose no threat to the marine environment.

Salvage teams continue to strategically remove containers from the site and cranes are being used for recovery of the containers.

A total of fifteen containers have so far been removed from the water.