The southern Peloponnese in Greece is now a key location for ship-to-ship transfers.1) 2)
It was unclear why the shift in southern Greece happened. Ships can move as a result of bad weather. However, the Laconian Gulf has hills all around it, offering some protection from the wind and calm waters. That has made it a useful spot for transferring cargoes and helps to reduce environmental risks.3)
Tankers entering the Laconian Gulf approach an area rich in biodiversity, parts of which are protected Natura 2000 sites. When the Trafigura-operated Dale entered the bay, on its right was the idyllic beach of Elafonisos; on its left the beaches of Mavrovouni and Vathy, home to the protected sea turtles.4)
Greek MEP Petros Kokkalis told the European Commission in October 2022 that “the Laconian Gulf, with its extremely abundant fish stocks, is a Natura 2000 protected area and host to nine habitat types and 13 priority species” – including the endangered Caretta-Caretta turtles, “whose principal nesting areas are located on the adjoining beaches”.5)
More than 20 crude oil or LNG tankers were spotted by satellite tracking last Monday 15 August in the center of the Laconian Gulf, between Elafonisos and Taynaros, at least 6 nautical miles from the coast. Some of them were moored together and a few more were at anchor west of Kythera, waiting for space to open.6)
The Laconian Gulf is home to endangered Caretta-Caretta sea turtles.