Cayman’s fuel regulator has said that it is monitoring a delay in the delivery of fuel from a tanker anchored off Cayman Brac on Friday.
The situation, which was brought to the attention of the Cayman Compass, is said to connected to the fuel supply ship MT Torm Allegro that was anchored off-shore on Cayman Brac early Friday morning.
An OfReg spokesperson said the ship arrived into Cayman Brac to offload 10,000 barrels of diesel and 3,000 barrels of premium gasoline.
“We have been informed that there is a delay with the ship being able to offload its fuel cargo as it is awaiting dispatch of pilots from Bodden Shipping. We are continuing to monitor the situation as it develops,” the OfReg spokesperson said.
A Bodden Shipping representative stated that the situation was being addressed, adding that “when the weather clears and the necessary equipment is confirmed in place, the job will be completed.”
There were some concerns from the community about the fuel supply on the island, but Jonathan Tibbetts, General Manager Island Energy Ltd., said there was no cause for concern.
“We have enough fuel in the tanks in accordance with our licence which is two weeks supply. There is no need to panic,” Tibbetts said.
There were suggestions that the issue was triggered by the Department of Environment investigation into the grounding of the Sea Elephant on Cayman Brac in July and the subsequent arrest of two of Bodden Shipping pilots.
Booden Shipping has denied that the two issues were connected.
The Sea Elephant vessel was delivering diesel fuel to the Brac when it ran aground on some “high coral heads” on the shallow seabed. The vessel sustained some damage in the incident and, after it was repaired, it left the Cayman Islands.
Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie confirmed the grounding was still under investigation and therefore the Department was unable to comment.
However she noted, “Nothing about this investigation prevents pilots being provided to assist tankers berthing anywhere in Cayman waters.”
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