Bulk carrier Anikitos operating under the Cyprus flag, loaded with 41,000 tonnes of manganese ore, collided with mining company South32’s loading wharf on the remote Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, causing extensive damage.
The 189-metre MV Anikitos was docked at Alyangula when Cyclone Megan struck the Northern Territory over the weekend, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) told ABC Rural.
“On Saturday and Sunday [March 16-17], the vessel faced severe weather with 100kph winds and 4m seas due to cyclonic conditions in the area. The weather has now calmed down,” an AMSA spokesperson said.
“The wharf has suffered severe damage, and the ship remains docked. The vessel is carrying 41,140 metric tonnes of manganese ore, 1,070 tonnes of low sulphur fuel, and 109 tonnes of diesel.”
AMSA has completed oil spill trajectory models and provided the results to the state government as owners and insurers work on moving the vessel from its current location to a safe anchorage.
Operations on Groote Eylandt have been suspended since, with initial inspections suggesting structural damage to the wharf.
The full extent of the damage and the resulting disruption to production and sales values will be assessed once access to the port and other infrastructure is restored.
The mine on Groote Eylandt is one of the world’s largest manganese projects, exporting 5.9 million tonnes last financial year valued at over $1.5 billion. According to ABC Rural the mine only has enough diesel to power generators for the next 20 days. It is uncertain how diesel will be delivered if the port is damaged.
The NT’s Department of Environment is monitoring the situation and that the MV Anikitos is “stable in location.”
“There is no fuel or oil leakage at this time. The ship’s master is working to resolve the situation and move the ship away from the damaged wharf as soon as possible. The Territory [government] is planning a response should there be a leak, working with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for support if required. With the weather settling in the area, and with actions taken to date, there is an unlikely risk of a leak occurring at all,” the Department said.
The former cyclone has been downgraded to a tropical low, but is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall and possible flooding to parts of the NT throughout the week.