On Sunday, June 30, 2024, a maritime mishap involving a grounded vessel in Benin near Fidjrossè beach in Cotonou drew significant attention. The vessel, identified as “SPSL UDEME”, was observed leaning on its side in the local waters. This incident was reported by BIP radio on Sunday morning.
The grounded vessel in Benin ran aground early in the morning, at around 4 AM, due to a mechanical failure, which caused it to become immobilized. The vessel was carrying approximately 200 tons of diesel fuel, destined for Nigeria from Congo.
This incident swiftly prompted the mobilization of various specialized teams to forestall an ecological catastrophe. Among these were the Chinese company WAPCO, which operates the SGME oil terminal. Units from the navy, the autonomous port of Cotonou, and the maritime prefecture were deployed to prevent the fuel from spilling into the water. On-site, firefighters, naval personnel, and Chinese technicians in grey uniforms were working relentlessly to secure the area.
The ship’s crew of nine were all reported safe, with no injuries or fatalities. Despite the seriousness of the incident, there were no human casualties.
An interministerial meeting was held on 3 July, during which Benin considered requesting technical assistance from France to help with the refloating operation. CEDE, CEPPOL (centre for practical pollution control expertise) and the maritime authorities in Brest are ready to help.
This event highlights the critical need for swift and coordinated responses to maritime incidents to prevent potential environmental disasters involving grounded vessels in Benin.
