Offloading operations for Solar I to start soon

ILOILO CITY – The Italian firm hired to offload the remaining bunker fuel from sunken tanker Solar I is expected to start operations at the end of this month.

Carlos Tan, Petron Corp. spokesperson, told The STAR in a telephone interview yesterday that representatives of Sonsub are already in the country to finalize matters regarding the offloading operation.

"We expect them to mobilize by last week of February," Tan said. Presently, Sonsub is loading equipment to be used for the offloading operations to its ship Allied Shield, Tan said.

Sonsub is also talking to local tugboat operators for assistance in offloading the oil.

"They’ll be bringing in only one ship, and will hire local tug operators," Tan explained.

Insurance firms Protection and Indemnity Club and the International Oil Pollution Compensation are also scheduled to arrive in Manila soon to sit down with Sonsub.

Tan said the P&I Club and IOPC will be paying for the operation to remove oil from the sunken tanker, now lying underwater off the coast of Guimaras.