INTERTANKO: Zero Waste At Sea Is Possible

Waste disposal from ships at sea can be eliminated, Philip Rankin of INTERTANKO the international association of independent tanker owners, told a conference of more than 100 European environmentalists at the 1st Seas At Risk Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

INTERTANKO is the sole international shipping industry body at the "green" conference sponsored by the Danish government, and the association's participation builds on a record of recent exchanges of meetings with green groups in Europe and the U.S.

Addressing concerns over operational oily waste being dumped at sea and ending up on beaches, Mr. Rankin said operational dumping by ships can be stopped. However, "the establishment of adequate waste reception facilities in ports is an absolutely essential prerequisite for cutting waste disposal at sea," he said. Reception facilities in oil ports is a mandatory requirement under MARPOL, the Marine Oil Pollution Convention from the IMO. The Conference is expected to adopt a Declaration to present to the Ministerial North Sea Conference next year, which will discuss measures to cut North Sea pollution.

Greek Conference: Shore- Based Facilities Stressed At an INTERTANKO Conference held in Greece, discussion focused on OPA 90 questions. Speakers stressed the need for the "Partnership for Prevention" INTERTANKO launched to improve shoreside systems and other factors which influence the safety of shipping: vessel traffic control, better charting, improved standards of pilotage and tugs. Also, responsible selection of ships by charterers was pinpointed as an important contribution to improving industry conditions.