Aug 30 - Guardia Civil Gathers Evidence In Preparation For Spain’s Anti-Bunkering Campaign
The large Guardia Civil vessel, Rio Pas, was spotted yesterday evening approaching every tanker anchored in the Bay in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. The Spanish state vessel went from tanker to tanker, slowing down to observe bunkering operations.
Although the Gibraltar Defence Police watched from a distance, no further action was taken.
This comes at a time when Spain is allegedly preparing a raft of legal measures against bunkering around the Rock. Although the Spanish authorities have no jurisdiction to act in Gibraltar’s waters, it is believed that Environment Minister Miguel Arias Cañete will soon announce that Spain intends to impose fines on those involved in this activity as he believes it poses a risk to Spain’s environment.
