Malta Freeport Terminals has just installed a new 300-metre boom outside Birżebbuġa’s Pretty Bay, which provides effective protection for bathers against any spill or leak in the Port of Marsaxlokk.

The company said this was the first time this boom has been installed it has invested more than €30,000 to have this special protective barrier in place to protect Pretty Bay in Birzebbuga in cases of accidental oil spills caused by operators within the Port of Marsaxlokk.

The boom was immediately installed by Malta Freeport Terminals contractor Bluhull Projects, in cooperation with Port Logistics Operations, following Monday’s accidental oil spill from a container vessel.

“As part of our environmental commitment to the area, we have been working with all stakeholders within Birżebbuġa’s community for the past months to invest in proactive measures. One of these is this large boom,” a spokesperson for the Malta Freeport Terminals said.

This lightweight rapid response boom prevents any liquid from entering the bathing area and protects the sandy beach from any contamination — it will remain in place until the spill is cleared from the Terminal area.

Investing in this boom forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility towards Birżebbuġa.

Referring to Monday’s incident which happened in the Port of Marsaxlokk when a container vessel was carrying out refuelling operations at the Terminal 2 South Quay, the spokesperson confirmed that the boom had successfully protected bathers from any possible oil contamination.

The spokesperson said the exact cause of the spill had not yet been established; however, it seemed to have originated from the container ship.

A marine oil spill contractor was called in and the slick is now being removed through oil absorbent material and the use of oil skimmers,” the spokesperson added.

In the coming days, teams from the contractor, appointed by the vessel’s operator agent in coordination with Transport Malta, will continue working to clean the marine environment and infrastructure within the terminals to avoid further contamination.