Maritime experts from General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) are liaising with the Arab Ship Building and Repair Yard Company (Asry), which is overseeing the operation to determine the salvage process of the damaged Liberian ship Stolt Valor with its owners.

Technical findings following the evaluation of the tanker's condition are expected by the end of the week.

The chemical tanker, which caught fire on March 15, north of Bahrain, has been docked at Asry after Bahrain agreed to accept the ship into its territorial waters.

GOP's focus on safety at sea and protection of the marine environment comes first and foremost in approving the vessel's exit plan, as drafted by the owners and their insurer (P&I).

"The evaluation of the vessel is continuing as planned and will be done to the highest international standards. We are working closely with the various local and international bodies including environmental and safety experts, to ensure that any risks are immediately addressed and Bahrain's territorial waters and coastal environs are free from any threat from the Stolt Valor," GOP director-general Hassan Ali Almajed said.

A joint committee headed by GOP, with representatives from Bahrain Coastguard and the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, was formed when the disaster occurred.

After lengthy deliberations, Bahrain agreed to give refuge to the ship, which had been turned down by other countries in the region.

"Bahrain's expertise and capabilities made it the most suitable country to accept the vessel, especially since we have the region's leading ship-building and repair yard," he said.