Mauritius and its outer islands are susceptible to oil spills, particularly given their strategic location along major international shipping routes. The island's extensive coastline and significant marine biodiversity make it vulnerable to the environmental impacts of oil spills, which can be catastrophic.
| Oil Spill: Release of liquid petroleum into the environment, particularly marine areas, due to human activity, typically more damaging when related to water bodies. |
Oil spills can lead to severe environmental damage, affecting water bodies, marine life, and coastal areas, and often require significant cleanup efforts and long-term ecological recovery strategies. The most significant and devastating oil spill in Mauritius' recent history occurred on July 25, 2020, when the Japanese-owned bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off the southeast coast of Mauritius near Pointe d'Esny. This accident resulted in the spillage of about 1,000 tons of fuel oil into the pristine waters, affecting the marine ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, and the surrounding lagoons which are rich in biodiversity. The spill prompted a national emergency and a large-scale local and international response effort, focusing on cleanup and mitigation of environmental damage.
Prior to the 2020 incident, Mauritius had not encountered a major oil spill, despite being recognized by the government as vulnerable due to its proximity to key petroleum shipping lanes.
Date | Vessel | Cause | Amount of Spilled Oil/metric tons | Impacts | Remedial Actions Taken |
| 25 July 2020 | MV Wakashio | Ship ran aground on a coral reef 1.8 km off Pointe d'Esny, Mauritius | 1,000 (another 3,800 tons were successfully pumped out of the grounded vessel) | Severe environmental damage to marine ecosystems; impact on local tourism and fishing. | Use of makeshift oil barriers by volunteers, international aid for cleanup, ongoing recovery efforts. |
| 17 June 2016 | MV Benita | Fight among crew leading to grounding near Ilot Brochus, Mauritius | Approx. 150 (Vessel had onboard around 145 MT HFO (380 CST), 42 MT diesel oil and 19 000 L Lube Oil) | Environmental threat to local marine and terrestrial ecosystems | Installation of buoys to contain the spill, ongoing cleaning efforts by local authorities and hired salvage companies |
| 8 August 2011 | MV Angel1 | Ingress of water in the engine room of Vessel located off Poudre D’Or coast (with cargo of rice) | No spill | Potential threat to local marine and terrestrial ecosystems | Fuel was moved to a bunker barge for safety. Booms were deployed in the lagoon to prevent oil leakage. A salvage company was tasked with removing the vessel. |
| April 2005 | MSC Katie | Collision off Port Louis between the MSC Katie and the MV Nordsun | No spill (About 900 Tonnes HFO on board) | Potential threat to local marine and terrestrial ecosystems | The MSC Katie sustained cracks and was grounded on a reef to avoid sinking. Mauritian authorities successfully prevented an oil spill. |
Oil Spill Preparedness and Response
Mauritius established its initial oil spill contingency plan (Murday and Gunlach, 1989) following episodes of tar balls washing ashore in the 1970s. The revised 2003 National Oil Spill Contingency Plan aimed to handle minor spills up to 10 tonnes, with larger spills necessitating international assistance. Drill exercises are routinely carried out.
Legal and Regulatory Framework: Following the Wakashio incident, there has been an increased focus on strengthening the legal and regulatory frameworks governing marine and environmental protection to prevent future incidents.
National Contingency Plan: Mauritius has updated its national contingency plan for oil spill response, improving readiness and coordination among various agencies.
International Cooperation: Mauritius collaborates with international bodies and neighboring countries to enhance oil spill response capabilities. This includes training and resources sharing to better manage potential spills.
Environmental Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring of affected areas from past spills is crucial to assess recovery efforts and guide environmental rehabilitation projects.
Community Involvement: Local communities, often the first affected by such disasters, are increasingly involved in preparedness and response exercises, helping to raise awareness and improve response times.
While Mauritius has taken significant steps to improve its preparedness for oil spills, the island's location and economic reliance on marine resources continue to highlight the need for robust preventive measures, quick response strategies, and international cooperation to manage and mitigate the risks associated with marine pollution.
