RIVER DRONE 4

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Oil spill in Albert Canal due to damaged fuel tank

On the evening of Aug 20, 2025, the 'River Drone 4', en route from Antwerp to Limburg along with the 'River Drone 8' (MMSI: 205568290), suffered damage while passing through the lock of the Albert Canal in Olen. A hole with a diamtre of approximately 15 centimeters was torn into the hull near a fuel tank, causing approximately 10 tons of gas oil to leak into the canal near the lock complex. A large spill spread over several kilometers, was floating on the water, spanning the entire width mainly on the west bank of the canal. The fire department arrived immediately and brought the situation so far under control, but the oil had already spread over several kilometers. There was a film of oil on the water from the Olen lock to the Olen-Hoogbuul bridge on a length of two to three kilometers, The Brabo company was called in. Around midnight, it started to contain and extract the oil slick, thus averting the risk of the oil flowing into the port of Antwerp.T here were five zones where the oil has been contained, and Brabo was vacuuming the sludge. The lock was also cleaned during the night. Shipping on the Albert Canal between Olen and nearby Ham was at a complete standstill. The 'River Drone 8' was moored in pos. 51° 09' N 004° 53' E, where it remained stationary as of Aug 21. Odor nuisance has been reported in surrounding municipalities. The Antwerp drinking water company Waterlink draws its drinking water from the Albert Canal, so everything had to be done to prevent the oil from reaching Antwerp. As the oil was floating and being held back by the Olen lock, that problem was resolved for the time being. The cleaning work was expected to be continued until the evening of Aug 21. With small boats and floating oil booms, the majority of the oil was removed upstream. The area around the vessel, where the thickest layer was, has been almost completely cleaned up. Next the remaining oil was transported to the lock complex because that's where was easiest to suck it up. One of the three locks, the push barge lock, was already cleaned overnight The northern and central locks still need edto be done. A small amount of oil was still present along the river bank. Regarding the cause of the accident, the maritime police have launched an investigation and have questioned the master. Reports with photos and video: https://www.hln.be/olen/vrachtschip-lekt-10-000-liter-olie-op-albertkanaal-in-olen-de-opruimingswerken-duren-vermoedelijk-nog-tot-vanavond~af1926c5/ https://nos.nl/artikel/2579339-olie-gelekt-in-kanaal-belgie-mogelijk-gevaar-voor-drinkwater-antwerpen https://www.hbvl.be/regio/antwerpen/kempen/lek-in-schip-veroorzaakt-kilometerslang-oliespoor-van-10.000-liter-in-albertkanaal-scheepvaartverkeer-blijft-gestremd/84944613.html https://www.nieuwsblad.be/regio/antwerpen/kempen/olen/lek-in-schip-veroorzaakt-kilometerslang-oliespoor-van-10.000-liter-in-albertkanaal-scheepvaartverkeer-blijft-gestremd/84938507.html