popular articles

Trinidad and Tobago: Armed intrusion around the wreck of the Gulfstream tanker

The wreck of the oil tanker *Gulfstream* in Trinidad and Tobago, refloated after a major oil spill, is at the heart of security tensions, with attempted intrusions leading to exchanges of fire.

Please share:

The wreck of the Gulfstream tanker, responsible for a spill of 50,000 barrels of fuel oil off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago last February, continues to raise major safety issues. After being refloated and towed to Sea Lots, a port area in Port of Spain, the site is under increased surveillance by local security forces.
Recently, intruders attempted to enter the site, prompting an armed response from the coastguard.
A member of the response team was injured, although his life is not in danger.
The identity of the Gulfstream’s owners and the precise circumstances of its sinking remain unknown.
The vessel, carrying 85,000 barrels of fuel oil, capsized without alerting the authorities, plunging the country into an environmental and logistical crisis.
Since then, Trinidadian authorities have launched appeals to Tanzania, Nigeria, Panama, Aruba and Curacao to locate those responsible for the vessel and the tug Solo Creed, which was involved in the incident.

Complex security operations

The Gulfstream’s current location in Sea Lots, an area characterized by high crime rates, poses additional challenges for the authorities.
The Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, has deployed considerable resources to secure the wreckage, while maintaining vigilance against surrounding illegal activity.
The recent intervention, marked by exchanges of fire, underlines the growing tensions around the site and the need to maintain reinforced security.
The costs associated with clean-up and surveillance operations are estimated at $30 million, a significant financial burden for Trinidad and Tobago.
This amount includes not only the clean-up efforts, but also the security measures deployed to protect the wreck and prevent further intrusions from compromising the ongoing investigation.

International survey in progress

The lack of identified owners and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Gulfstream crew continue to complicate the investigation.
Faced with a lack of precise information, the Trinidadian authorities have stepped up international cooperation to shed light on the case.
However, despite diplomatic efforts, little progress has been made to date.
The decision to tow the wreck to Sea Lots was dictated by logistical considerations, despite the area’s reputation as a “hot spot” for illegal traffic.
This decision has raised concerns about the safety of the wreck, now located in an area where criminal activity is particularly prevalent.
The complexity of the situation calls for rigorous management of security operations, with a view to preserving the integrity of the site for the purposes of the investigation.
Developments in this case continue to be closely monitored by the Trinidadian authorities, who must juggle security imperatives with the demands of a complex international investigation.
The Gulfstream, with its persistent mystery, represents a major challenge for Trinidad and Tobago, both in terms of security and economics.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

At COP29 in Baku, NGOs criticized the G20 for lacking leadership on energy transition. Despite progress on climate finance, the absence of commitments on fossil fuels provoked sharp disappointment.
A Carbon Tracker report warns about the shortcomings in oil and gas companies' commitments to curb methane leaks, despite their critical climate impact.
A Carbon Tracker report warns about the shortcomings in oil and gas companies' commitments to curb methane leaks, despite their critical climate impact.
Despite the rise of renewable energy, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels continue to grow, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. The long-awaited peak remains uncertain, raising critical questions at COP29.
Despite the rise of renewable energy, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels continue to grow, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. The long-awaited peak remains uncertain, raising critical questions at COP29.
At COP29, the European Union unveiled an international initiative aimed at limiting methane emissions linked to fossil fuels. This strategic effort relies on global cooperation and strengthened regulations.
At COP29, the European Union unveiled an international initiative aimed at limiting methane emissions linked to fossil fuels. This strategic effort relies on global cooperation and strengthened regulations.
CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will reach a record 37.4 billion tons in 2024, according to the Global Carbon Budget report. Despite progress in energy transition, fossil fuel demand persists.
Facing the threat of surpassing the 1.5 °C warming threshold, COP29 calls for an ambitious energy transformation. IRENA emphasizes the need to triple renewable energy capacities by 2030 to keep the energy transition on track.
Facing the threat of surpassing the 1.5 °C warming threshold, COP29 calls for an ambitious energy transformation. IRENA emphasizes the need to triple renewable energy capacities by 2030 to keep the energy transition on track.
As COP29 approaches, several indicators suggest progress in the fight against climate change. From reducing warming projections to stabilizing fossil emissions and renewable energy growth, the outlook is less bleak.
As COP29 approaches, several indicators suggest progress in the fight against climate change. From reducing warming projections to stabilizing fossil emissions and renewable energy growth, the outlook is less bleak.
The European Union recorded a historic reduction of 8.3% in its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. This decrease marks progress towards climate goals, yet challenges remain to achieve carbon neutrality.
The European Union recorded a historic reduction of 8.3% in its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. This decrease marks progress towards climate goals, yet challenges remain to achieve carbon neutrality.
Beyond CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases actively contribute to global warming, driving specific measures to limit their emissions. These lesser-known gases are at the core of researchers' and policymakers' concerns.
One year after storm Ciaran, Enedis strengthens the electrical network in Brittany. By burying 1,100 kilometers of lines and modernizing cables, the company aims to reduce outages related to weather disruptions.
One year after storm Ciaran, Enedis strengthens the electrical network in Brittany. By burying 1,100 kilometers of lines and modernizing cables, the company aims to reduce outages related to weather disruptions.
An NGO report warns of environmental risks associated with oil and gas concessions in the "Coral Triangle," one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, threatened by maritime traffic and oil spills.
An NGO report warns of environmental risks associated with oil and gas concessions in the "Coral Triangle," one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, threatened by maritime traffic and oil spills.
GenZero warns that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is becoming difficult without massive investments in energy transition technologies in the Asia-Pacific region.
GenZero warns that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is becoming difficult without massive investments in energy transition technologies in the Asia-Pacific region.
French emissions of atmospheric pollutants have significantly decreased between 2000 and 2023. However, France continues to face exceedances of air quality standards and occasional pollution episodes.
For several years, the notion of ecological debt has gained importance alongside public debt. This article explores its meaning, quantification, and the challenges related to its reduction, while examining the implications for future generations.
For several years, the notion of ecological debt has gained importance alongside public debt. This article explores its meaning, quantification, and the challenges related to its reduction, while examining the implications for future generations.
A tanker caught fire off Rostock, in the Baltic Sea, on Friday. Seven sailors were rescued, and the fire is now largely under control, according to German authorities.
A tanker caught fire off Rostock, in the Baltic Sea, on Friday. Seven sailors were rescued, and the fire is now largely under control, according to German authorities.
According to DNV, global energy-related CO2 emissions are peaking this year due to the decreasing costs of renewables. However, increased efforts are necessary to meet the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement.
According to DNV, global energy-related CO2 emissions are peaking this year due to the decreasing costs of renewables. However, increased efforts are necessary to meet the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement.
Carbon dioxide is well-known, but other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a crucial role in climate warming. This article explores their impact and the measures taken to control them.
Duke Energy Foundation is committing $1 million to support recovery efforts in southeastern U.S. states following Hurricane Helene, further reinforcing its previous contributions to disaster preparedness and response initiatives.
Duke Energy Foundation is committing $1 million to support recovery efforts in southeastern U.S. states following Hurricane Helene, further reinforcing its previous contributions to disaster preparedness and response initiatives.
Waste management in India remains a major environmental challenge, with only 20% of the 65 million tons generated each year being processed, despite local initiatives involving people with disabilities in recycling programs.
Waste management in India remains a major environmental challenge, with only 20% of the 65 million tons generated each year being processed, despite local initiatives involving people with disabilities in recycling programs.
California is suing ExxonMobil for allegedly misleading the public about the effectiveness of its advanced recycling technologies, accusing the company of contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.
California is suing ExxonMobil for allegedly misleading the public about the effectiveness of its advanced recycling technologies, accusing the company of contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.
Philippine authorities have recovered 96% of the fuel oil from a tanker sunk in Manila Bay. The successful operation prevented a major oil spill, with minimal economic impact.
Francine, now a tropical storm, is approaching the Gulf of Mexico and threatening vital energy infrastructure, including refineries and offshore platforms.
Francine, now a tropical storm, is approaching the Gulf of Mexico and threatening vital energy infrastructure, including refineries and offshore platforms.
The expansion of coal mines in China could compromise its climate targets and increase methane emissions, warns a study by Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
The expansion of coal mines in China could compromise its climate targets and increase methane emissions, warns a study by Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
Despite international reduction commitments, methane emissions are rising at a record pace, posing major risks for global climate and energy policies.
Despite international reduction commitments, methane emissions are rising at a record pace, posing major risks for global climate and energy policies.

Advertising