WILLEMSTAD - The oil tanker FSO Nabarima is an increasing threat to Curaçao. Curaçao's Risk Management and Disaster Response organization is preparing for the worst if the ship capsizes, says director Lesley Fer.

The oil tanker is located in the Gulf of Paria west of Trinidad and Tobago and is now tilting 25 degrees. The engine room filled with water in late August, after which the ship began to lean five degrees to the right. Fisherman and Friends of the Seas (FFOS) Secretary Gary Aboud calls international attention to an environmental disaster.

Fer says the ship's situation is being monitored. He says international channels are trying to pump the oil out of the ship or have the ship towed away.

Yesterday international news agency Reuter reported that Venezuelan state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela plans to offload crude via ship-to-ship (STS) transfer amid environmental concerns.

The Nabarima, part of PDVSA’s Petrosucre joint venture with Italy’s Eni SpA in the Paria Gulf off Venezuela’s eastern coast, is laden with 1.3 million barrels of crude.

PDVSA, which holds a 74% stake in the venture, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Eni, which holds the remaining 26%, declined to comment.

It was not immediately clear how the STS transfer would take place. At least two tugboats - which are frequently used to facilitate STS operations - were near the Nabarima on Monday, according to Refinitiv Eikon tracking data.