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South African officials were forced to evacuate the bulk carrier NS Qingdao<\/em> from the port of Durban and send it to a protected anchorage after it started releasing toxic fumes. <\/p>\n The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said NS Qingdao <\/em>was discharging at the port of Durban when some of its chemical cargo became unstable due to contact with rain water. This caused the cargo to release toxic fumes, Samsa said. <\/p>\n In response, Samsa ordered the vessel to depart and head for a safe anchorage. Under escort, NS Qingdao<\/em> headed for St. Helena Bay – some 850 nautical miles away on the Atlantic coast of South Africa – so that she could ventilate her hatches offshore.<\/p>\n “Samsa directed the vessel to sail to a protected anchorage under the escort of the tug Umkhuseli<\/em>. The vessel has a full team of salvors, chemical experts, hazmat teams and other emergency personnel on board to manage the operation safely following defined emergency protocols,” said Capt Vernon Keller, Samsa's acting COO.<\/p>\n He added the owner of the vessel is cooperating with the authorities and has been very proactive in helping to contain the situation.<\/p>\n “The cargo will be discharged into skips, chemically neutralized and landed ashore at an approved dumping site in a safe and controlled manner. The vessel poses no immediate threat to the marine environment and humans,” he said.<\/p>\n