Tanker leaks molasses after running aground in Silloth

A tanker that ran aground in Silloth over the weekend has had a cargo leak.

Zapadnyy, a Belize-registered vessel, got into difficulty at Silloth harbour on Saturday afternoon after running aground during the midday tide.

While then vessel was confirmed as safely docked on Sunday – some of its molasses cargo has been confirmed to have leaked into the harbour.

An ABP spokesman said: “We can confirm that a quantity of cargo of the Zapadnyy has entered the water.

“The cargo – molasses – is a sugar related organic substance used as an ingredient in food production.

“In this instance we are not expecting any significant environmental impact. The appropriate authorities have been informed and they and ABP are monitoring the situation.”

ABP added that the ship is no longer leaking.

The 77m vessel had previously left Bremen in Germany at around 7.45am on February 1.

It is the second time the tanker has got into difficulty in Silloth – with it also running aground at the harbour in 2016.