Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — A tanker exploded near Saudi Arabia, triggering
a regional alert.

The ship, identified as MV Stolt Valor, exploded near the Saudi coast on
March 19. The explosion triggered an alert in neighboring Bahrain and Qatar
for oil spill and chemical fallout.

Officials said the Liberian-registered tanker left Saudi Arabia’s Jubail for Bahrain. They said the vessel was carrying 12,700 tons of chemicals and petroleum additives.

“We have activated our disaster control management systems and are keeping a close watch on the situation,” Adel Al Zayani, director-general of Bahrain’s Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, said.

Officials said no leak was detected and that the vessel was moved north off the coast of Qatar. They said the biggest threat was to Bahrain’s three water desalination plants and that helicopters were tracking the damaged ship.

“Although it is not moving towards Bahrain, it is moving past our
territorial waters,” Al Zayani said.

“The danger is not as much from the chemicals on board but the 18 tons

of lube and 434 tons of diesel oil that it is carrying in its tanks,” Al
Zayani said. “We now believe most of the chemical has burned down already so
that is why all efforts are being made to put the fire out as soon as
possible and salvage the ship to prevent it from going down.”

  12, 700 tons of chemicals, Bahrain’s Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, Liberian-registered tanker explodes in Arabian Gulf, MV Stolt Valor