Ban Single

EU Bans Single-Hull Tankers

The Council of the European Union issued a Provisional Version of its 2499th Council meeting, which focused on transport issues. Under the plan, which must still be approved by the European Parliament, single-hull tankers over 5,000 dwt carrying heavy oils would be banned from EU ports. Single-hull tankers between 600 and 5,000 dwt carrying heavy oils would be banned from 2008. Pre-MARPOL single-hull tankers over 5,000 dwt would be banned from 2005. MARPOL single-hull tankers would be banned as from 2010. In press release issued by the EC, Vice-President Loyola de Palacio welcomed the action. The Council also considered proposals to increase sanctions for ship-source pollution, to establish minimum levels of training for seafarers, and to reinforce the civil liability regime and compensation arrangements in the event of oil pollution.

South Korea to Ban Single-Hulled Tankers after Spill

Reuters reported that South Korea will ban single-hulled tankers from traveling in its waters by 2011, earlier than the international regulation that calls for a ban from 2015, Seoul's maritime ministry said. A single-hulled tanker was involved in South Korea's worst oil spill last month, leaking around 10,500 tons of crude oil after a sea-bound crane mounted on a barge punched holes in the tanker's hull. As of January

Single-hull Tankers Banned from October 21

The Regulation banning single-hull oil tankers from European ports has been published in the Official Journal(1) and entered into force October 21, 2003. From that date single-hull oil tankers may not be used to carry heavy grades of oil to or from EU ports. In addition, the timetable for the phasing-out of such tankers has been speeded up, and oil tankers more than 23 years old, as the Erika and the Prestige were, are banned from EU ports immediately

Commission Urged to Mandate Marine

AMRIE (The Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe) will today present a series of recommendations aimed at improving levels of oil tanker safety in response to recent Commission proposals on the safety of the seaborne oil trade. The AMRIE Paper calls on the Commission to lead the way in introducing requirements for Black Boxes to be fitted in ALL existing cargo ships, going beyond the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) suggestion of new cargo ships only

Steamship Reports First Nine-Months Results

A/S Steamship Co TORM (TORM), a shipping company specializing in the worldwide commercial operation of a fleet of tankers and bulk carriers, reported its results for the first nine months of 2003. Net profit for the third quarter 2003 was DKK 232 million ($35 million), including an unrealized gain on the Company's investment in Dampskibsselskabet "NORDEN" A/S; and net profit for the first nine months of 2003 was DKK 468 million ($70 million), including an unrealized gain on the NORDEN shares

S. Korea Refiner Steps Up Single Hull Ban

South Korea's GS Caltex will reportedly ban crude shipments on single-hulled oil tankers from next year, according to a Reuters report, well ahead of international laws that timetable their phase out. The move is significant in Asia, particularly if others follow suit. Pending the actions of others, the move could have a ripple effect on the shipbuilding industry and the need for double hull tankers. The industry is currently in the midst of a record orderbook

Single-Hull Numbers Fall to 7% of Fleet

According to a June 7 report from Emirates Business 24/7, even as the UAE gears up to ban all single-hull tankers by the end of the year, their number has decreased drastically while demand from countries with inland transportation has increased. The number of single-hulls in the market has dropped to almost seven percent of the total fleet and 2010 would be the right time to scrap the ships, according to a recent report published by McQuilling Services.

IBIA Warns on EU Tanker Proposals

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) says that proposals by the European Commission for a EU ban on single hull tankers may inadvertently have a major affect on bunkering operations. Ian Adams, secretary general of IBIA, says, "The European Commission has proposed a new regulation amending regulation 417/2002 which bans entry into EU ports, offshore terminals or anchorage areas under the jurisdiction of a

Banning of Exxon Valdez Upheld

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the provision in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) banning from Prince William Sound any tank vessel that, after March 22, 1989, spilled more than 1 million gallons of oil is constitutional. The Exxon Valdez spilled approximately 11 million gallons of oil when it grounded in Prince William Sound on March 23, 1989. The statute effectively banned the Exxon Valdez from engaging in the only trade for which it was constructed

Amended IMO Regulations Positive for Teekay

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced stricter regulations governing the tanker industry on a worldwide basis. The IMO regulations, scheduled to become effective April 5, 2005, will accelerate the mandatory phase-out of single-hull tankers as well as impose a more rigorous inspection regime for older tankers. The regulations will ban the oldest single-hull tankers, representing approximately 12 percent of the current world tanker fleet