Transport Malta is investigating the grounding Malta-registered bulk carrier MV Oliva with its cargo of 65,000 tonnes of soya beans while at Nightingale Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The 40,000 tonne ship has a damaged hull. No injuries were reported and all 22 crew members on board were reported safe, especially since they were all evacuated before the failure, Transport Malta said.
The authority’s merchant shipping directorate was informed that the ship sustained structural damage in a number of ballast tanks which eventually progressed into a complete structural failure. No further details were given about the incident.
A tug and salvage team is due to arrive at the ship today. Nightingale Island is part of the Tristan da Cunha group of islands administered by the UK.