On 28 February 2021, M/T MINERVA HELEN was cleared of any connection with the oil pollution affecting the coasts of Israel and Lebanon.

MINERVA MARINE INC. welcomes the result of the investigation by the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Israeli Shipping and Ports Authority which has cleared its managed vessel, M/T MINERVA HELEN (IMO No 9276561, Greek Flag), of all suspicion in connection with the recent pollution incident impacting Israel’s coastline.

The statement by the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection is available here

On 21 February 2021, MINERVA HELEN was named as one of several suspect vessels due to her proximity to Israel, while drifting in the area, in early February 2021.

On 22 February 2021, the Spanish Port State Control Authorities in Cartagena inspected the vessel, observed no deficiencies and verified that the vessel was well maintained and in a good operational condition without any defects.

MINERVA MARINE proceeded with a thorough investigation of all the vessel’s activities and operations during the relevant period, concluding that the vessel was not connected in any way to the pollution incident and refuting categorically all allegations.

Committed to operating in a proactive and transparent way, MINERVA MARINE made every effort to assist the authorities with the investigations.

Israeli inspectors coordinated with the Greek Coast Guard inspectors and moved quickly to carry out their investigation in a thorough and professional manner. MINERVA MARINE welcomed the inspectors’ attention to detail and made available all relevant records and documentation.

MINERVA MARINE expresses its sympathy to all those who have been impacted by this environmental casualty and wishes those involved in the clean-up and recovery operations every success in their critical task.