Bahrain and other GCC countries have activated their contingency plans after a chemical tanker exploded and caught fire near Saudi Arabia's coastline.

Marine protection authorities are now concerned about possible leakage and environmental pollution.

Twenty-four seafarers, all of them from the Philippines, were rescued by the US Navy from the burning Stolt Valor and handed over to Philippine Embassy officials in Bahrain. But one is still missing.

The Liberian-registered tanker was on its way from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia to Bahrain and was carrying about 12,700 metric tonnes of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a volatile flammable liquid chemical and petrol additive.

The tanker, owned by a Dutch company, is being salvaged by Netherlands-based Smit Salvage, said Bahrain-based Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (Memac) director Capt Abdul Moniem Al Janahi.

"Memac has directly contacted all member states of the Regional Organisation for the Protection of Marine Environment (Ropme) and have informed them about the incident," Capt Al Janahi told our sister publication the Gulf Daily News.

"We have asked them to be prepared for any assistance that might be needed."

He said Saudi Arabia's Meteorology and Environment department had activated its national contingency plan and was co-ordinating with Memac and other relevant parties to control the situation.

"We all are concerned at the pollution which may happen in the area," he said.

Capt Al Janahi said Memac was also collaborating with Smit Salvage, which is now in the process of moving equipment and personnel from Bahrain to the site of the incident.

He said the tanker was steered away from coastal areas but is still on fire.

"Experts have estimated the fire will continue for some days even though a number of tugboats have been trying to put it out," he said. "The tanker has started tilting to its left, which may lead to its sinking."

Meanwhile, the rescued crew have reportedly left Bahrain, said sources. They were earlier taken to hospital for a medical examination before being discharged. – TradeArabia News Service