A Portuguese-flagged chemical tanker sustained damage after hitting an offshore platform in the North Sea, on New Year’s Eve.

JULIANADORP – Een Portugees olie- en chemicaliënschip is vanavond vol op een onbemand platform gevaren in @denoordzee. Dit meldt @Kustwacht_NL. Er zijn geen gewonden gevallen. Ook de lading van het schip is niet in gevaar.https://t.co/DNrOhJ3yoh #dezeekust #julianadorp pic.twitter.com/dJkQcM9fAn

— De Zee Kust (@dezeekust) December 31, 2017

Owned by John T. Essberger from Germany, the 2013-built tanker Elsa Essberger was on its way from Antwerp to Malmo when it struck an unused production platform in the North Sea.

It struck the Unocal Q1 Halfweg platform, located some 28 kilometers west of Julianadorp, causing damage to the platform’s legs and its bow. No pollution has been reported.

According to VesselsValue data, the chemical tanker did not continue its journey to Malmo, as the VV map shows the vessel as moored in Rotterdam.

As for the platform hit by the tanker, it was installed in March 1995 in the Dutch sector of the southern North Sea. It was designed for ‘self-installation” and consists of a concrete gravity base which supports a manned process deck by means of four tubular steel legs in 24 meters water depth.

The platform was initially operated by Unocal, a company later taken over by Chevron. Chevron then sold its Dutch offshore assets to Petrogas in 2014.

Gisteravond is de Elsa Essberger tegen een platform op de Noordzee aangevaren. Zowel schip als platform is zwaar beschadigd. Op de laatste foto spotten we haar nog op de Oude Maas op 1e Kerstdag. Andere foto’s van het @Kustwacht_NL vaartuig Guardian. pic.twitter.com/SP4SHA4b4x

— Ivo Terpstra 🐗 (@ivoterp) January 1, 2018

https://t.co/eRtiaozVmn
2 januari 2018 aankomst in het Calandkanaal tanker ELSA ESSBERGER (via het ankergebied bij IJmuiden), na haar aanvaring met het platform ‘Halfweg’ pic.twitter.com/slxWpWv09F

— KOOPVAARDIJ (@Koopvaardij) January 2, 2018

Offshore Energy Today Staff