Published Sunday, 08 January 2012
The successful transfer of 54,305 tonnes of vacuum gas oil from the vessel Genmar Companion to the BW Seine in Belfast Lough was completed on Saturday evening.
The operation began on Friday night after being delayed throughout December because of adverse weather conditions.
The Genmar Companion had been sheltering off the Copeland Islands since reporting a crack on its deck on 16 December.
In order for repairs to take place in Belfast Harbour it was necessary to remove the cargo of oil in Belfast Lough by ship to ship transfer; due to there being no shore reception facilities in Belfast Harbour for a tanker of this size.
Hugh Shaw, Secretary of States Representative (SOSREP) Maritime Salvage and Intervention, said: "I am delighted that the ship to ship transfer operation has now been successfully completed, the exclusion zone that was in place will be removed at midnight".
Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "I think we are all relieved that the operation has now been concluded successfully and that there has been no damage to the Northern Ireland coastline, one of our most beautiful assets".
"There have been considerable challenges in managing an operation of this nature during the stormy conditions we have been having. I would like to thank the Captains and crew of both vessels who worked throughout the night to achieve a successful outcome", he added.
The tanker will now be brought into Belfast Harbour to be repaired.