MV Solomon Trader grounding and oil spill assessement

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The MV Solomon Trader ran aground on a coral reef in Kagava Bay, Rennell Island, Solomon Islands on 5th February 2019. On 15th February 2019 heavy fuel oil was observed leaking from the stern. Following the release of over 300 tonnes of heavy fuel oil onto the shallow fringing reef and marine environment of Kagava Bay, an intensive clean-up operation was conducted from early March – 26th July 2019.

To understand the environmental impacts of the grounding and the oil spill event Fluvio, on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government, has conducted two separate environmental impact assessments in 2019 and 2025. The project included multiple shoreline terrestrial, sediment, benthic and ecology assessments to assess the health and recovery of the region. The findings of this assessment have been categorised to understand the impacts of the incident on the surrounding environment.