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A collision between merchant ships from Malta and Greece has lead to a fuel oil spill off the coast of Montevideo, according to Uruguayan Navy officials.

The Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Sea Bird was anchored approximately 12 miles off the coast of Uruguay and waiting to enter the port of Buenos Aires. The collision occurred when the Greece-registered Syros slammed against the Sea Bird, releasing approximately 145 cubic metres of fuel oil into the open water.

The fuel oil trail resulting from the collision is said to be approximately 13 miles long and slowly drifting along the River Plate estuary in a south-easterly direction. Authorities are attempting to control the spill with floating barriers before it reaches the mouth of the River Plate near Buenos Aires. Officials say there will be much greater harm to the environment if the fuel reaches land.

The collision is reported to have left a five metre long gash in the fuel tank of the Syros, which apparently produced the bunker spill. Officials at the Uruguayan Navy said that as the bunker fuel was not heavy fuel oil, the marine fuel would disperse naturally and thus limit the damage to the environment.

Oil spill response units are also said to be working to dissolve the fuel oil into the sea.

Meanwhile, workers at the Montevideo dry dock are in the process of patching the damage caused to the Syros before moving the vessel into harbour for a full repair. The 63325 dwt bulker was built in 1981.

Officials at the Uruguayan Navy have indicated that the collision was possibly caused by a wrong manoeuvre by the Syros. Judicial officials have begun an enquiry into the incident, while the Environment Ministry will also determine if a fine is to be paid by any of the parties involved.