Hapag-Lloyd Ship Gets Inspected Amid California Oil Spill

As the investigation continues into the growing concerns of how an oil pipeline was disrupted along the California coast causing one of the largest oil spills in California, a Hapag-Lloyd ship that was anchored approximately 500m near the pipeline is being investigated.

On October 6 the US Coast Guard (USCG) was informed to inspect the 4,843 teu Rotterdam Express vessel after investigators determined the oil pipeline appears to have been dragged 30+ meters which are leading investigators to believe that a ships anchor may have been at fault.

During the investigation, Hapag-Lloyd advised that on September 21 their vessel was directed to and anchored where San Pedro Traffic informed them specifically.

A spokesman for Hapag-Lloyd said, “During the period in question the vessel has not moved from anchorage and has not passed over the pipeline. During anchorage no oil in the water has been spotted.”

This investigation into the cause of the spill is ongoing.