Another oil spill hits east coast of UAE

Fujairah: Another oil spill has hit parts of the east coast as officials repeat their call for action to be taken against irresponsible ships.

The spill is the third in ten days and just the latest in a long running saga, which local officials seem unable to end.

The source of these spills are often passing ships that clean out their petrol containers as they get ready for refueling, a practice that is against international maritime laws.

The latest spill is on a smaller scale than on previous occasions, said Engineer Hassa Al Yamahy, General Director of Dibba Municipality, adding that clean-up teams were dispatched to the affected areas as per routine.

Al Yamahy told Gulf News that nothing is likely to change unless action is taken by ‘higher authorities'.

He said: "There are a huge number of ships passing by and to stop offending parties, major action need to be taken and specialist agencies need to be established to handle this nuisance, which is causing severe damage to our environment."