Mauritius, shipwreck of the MV Wakashio: Chronology of events
On July 25, 2020, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier MV Wakashio, carrying 200 tonnes of diesel and 3,800 tonnes of fuel, grounded on Pointe d’Esny Reef, Mauritius. The ship Wakashio of the Okiyo Maritime Corporation/ Nagashiki Shipping Co.Ltd had left China for Brazil, with the last port of call, Singapore.
On Thursday, August 6, 2020, the Mauritian Ministry of the Environment announced in a statement that it had been informed of a breach in the MV WAKASHIO with oil leak.
On Friday, 7 August 2020, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, declared on his twitter account that a state of environmental emergency had been declared.
He adds: “The shipwreck of Wakashio represents a danger for Mauritius. Our country does not have the skills and expertise to refloat stranded ships, so I asked Emmanuel Macron for France’s help.”
On Saturday, August 8, 2020, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, responds favorably to the call of the Mauritian government “When biodiversity is at risk, there is an urgent need to act. France is there. Alongside the Mauritian people. You can count on our support dear Pravind Jugnauth. We are already deploying teams and equipment from Reunion.”
Consequently, substantial human and material resources were deployed to Mauritius.
Photo credit: Pravind Jugnauth
