Spanish authorities negotiate damaged tanker towing

Spanish authorities are negotiating with the ship owners and insurers of a Cyprus gasoline damaged tanker the possibility of towing the vessel to the southern port of Almeria.

The Castor, carrying 29,500 tons of unleaded gasoline, or nearly 250,000 barrels, was drifting in the Mediterranean sea at 65 nautical miles off Moroccan shores, after it reported a crack in its deck on December 31.

Last Thursday, the tanker was towed at five knots speed by the Russian tug-boat "Nickolay Chiker" heading for the Spanish port of Almeria under close watch of Moroccan Royal Navy units.