Clean-up efforts underway into oil spill in Demerara River; probe launched

See full statement from the Maritime Administration Department

Oil Spill from Vessel alongside DST Wharf

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is responding to an oil spill incident involving the Motor Vessel AROYAT, IMO # 9151395, which is moored alongside the Demerara Sugar terminal (DST), Ruimveldt.

The Palau flagged vessel is a bulk carrier and entered the Port Georgetown earlier today, May 15, 2025, for the purpose of loading rice.

MARAD was informed about this incident at approximately 17:00 hours today.

The National Emergency Response Team including, MARAD, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF-CG) was immediately mobilised, and mitigating efforts are underway to stop the leak and contain the spill.

Concurrently, an active investigation into the cause(s) of the incident is ongoing.