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Tanker Prestige News

20 Jun 2022

Insurer Must Pay Spanish Claim in Galicia Oil Spill, EU Court Says

Photo: Stéphane M. Grueso (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Spain on Monday won backing from Europe's top court in its mutlimillion euros damage claim against The London Steam-Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association for a massive oil spill on its northwestern coast two decades ago.The 2002 sinking of the Greek oil tanker Prestige, which was sailing to Gibraltar, released an estimated 63,000 tones of foul-smelling black fuel along the Galicia coast and forced the closure of Spain's richest fishing grounds.It led to a lengthy dispute between The London Steam-Ship Owners' Mutual Insurance Association Limited…

27 Jan 2016

Limitless Salvage

Dennis Bryant

Whether driven by treasure hunting or environmental protection, the days of forgotten wrecks, even at great depths, is past. It seems like every month we see reports of long-lost maritime wrecks being discovered on the ocean bottom and treasures being salvaged from great depths. We also hear regularly of oil being recovered from sunken wrecks. There is now no practical limit to the ability to recover objects from the sea floor, regardless of depth, currents, weather, or other obstacles. The only existing obstacle seems to be financing - and costs are decreasing regularly.

24 Nov 2003

Marine Salvage: Having A Bad Day at Sea? Call Your Local Salvor

By John W. Picture this scenario: It's the middle of the night — 3:30 a.m. to be exact. The phone rings — it's a client is calling to say that a vessel is in distress and our services as an engineering firm are needed. "This is no drill." So many factors are at risk - factors that are not to be taken lightly; people's lives, the environment, and property. How will the next few hours or days play out? One of the key events in my life that helped lead me to my profession as a ship designer was a book about "bad days at sea." The book was The Grey Seas Under by Farley Mowat. If you love the sea then this is a must read. It gives a true taste of salvage operations and the courage of those who wrest disaster from the hungry sea.

20 Sep 2004

The End of the Single-Hull Tanker

following an accident. tankers to 2010 (previously 2015). of the building and inspection regulations for double-hull tankers. Hamburg, to be held at the Hamburg Fair site from 28 September to 2 October. IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. IMO regulations on the service life of single-hull tankers. single-hull tankers. Why was that decision taken? coast of Spain. The principle that single-hull tankers should be phased out, due to the additional protection afforded by double hulls in certain types of incident, had already been established and was enshrined in the MARPOL Convention, but the membership agreed that this phase-out should be brought forward. Has everything been done to protect against tanker disasters from 2010? Where do you see room for improvement?

31 Jul 2006

Germanischer Lloyd Tops Paris MoU

In the current evaluation of all port state inspections of ships during the past year within the scope of the "Paris Memorandum of Understanding" (Paris MoU) of the European Port State Control, Germanischer Lloyd took first place, as in the previous years. The Paris MoU determined the number of class-related detentions for each classification society and expressed them in relation to the total number of port state inspections during the years 2003 to 2005. For Germanischer Lloyd, only 43 detentions were noted for a total of 11,882 inspections. This yields a calculation factor of -1.57, which is the lowest value for the 25 societies considered. Port State Control is based on an agreement of the maritime transport authorities of Northwestern Europe dating back to January 26, 1982.

06 Jan 2003

EC Vows to Toughen Maritime Safety

The European Commission (EC) has adopted rules prohibiting transport of heavy fuel in single hull tankers and setting an earlier date for phase-out of single hull tankers. Further work is planned with regard to clarification of legal responsibility for maritime accidents. On January 2, French President Jacques Chirac and Commission President Romano Prodi discussed the issue of maritime safety. This followed the collision of the Turkish tanker Vicky with a sunken carrier off the French coast on Wednesday. The tanker was transporting 70,000 tons of highly flammable kerosene. Against the backdrop of this accident and the ongoing oil pollution caused by the accident of the tanker "Prestige" off the Spanish coast last November…

06 Dec 2002

EC to Discuss

The European Commission (EC) Environment Commissioner will visit Galicia, Spain to take stock of the environmental damage following the oil spill and sinking of the tanker Prestige. During her visit, the Commissioner will discuss elements of the "Prestige package" adopted by the Commission on December 3, which builds on the proposals made by the Commission after the Erika accident (Erika I and II packages) and sets out further proposals to improve safety at sea. The "Prestige Package" also foresees action at the international level to introduce a stricter application of the polluter pays principle and to increase the level of the International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage to EUR1 billion.

04 Dec 2002

SCA: Prestige Shows Danger of Single Hulls

The Shipbuilding Council of America (SCA) says the sinking of the 26-year old tanker Prestige illustrates the danger of continued operation of single-hulled tank vessels. The accident should serve as a warning to shippers who continue to look for cheap alternatives to modern, double-hull tank vessels. SCA has long been warning of the dangers of continued operation of aged single-hull tank vessels. "Unfortunately, even in the U.S., companies continue to charter older, single-hull tankers similar to the sunken Prestige at discounted rates," stated SCA President Allen Walker. No new product tankers are under construction or on order for the domestic trades. Only 21 product tankers in the U.S.-flag fleet are currently double-hulled and 10 of those vessels are more than 16 years old today.

04 Dec 2002

As a Ship Sinks, So Does Some Credibility

The break up and sinking of the tanker Prestige last month off the coast of Spain is sure to create grass root changes in the maritime market that far exceed the economical and ecological damage caused. While it is impossible to determine, exactly, what new measures may be, there is an undeniable feeling that the powers in charge are determined to ensure that this sort of event is never repeated again. The fate of the tanker and the political and procedural situation that preceded it were fodder for the front page of the Wall Street Journal recently, not exactly the publicity the maritime sector seeks. There are many issues that jump to the forefront of the Prestige incident…

04 Dec 2002

Editor’s Note

This is not the way that I prefer to launch into our year-end Great Ships edition, but unfortunately, It has happened again. On my early a.m. drive to work on Wednesday, November 20, the radio in my car was tuned to WBAB 102.3 FM, the “Roger & JP” show, which is a couple of stereotypical shock jocks better known for lockeroom humor than intelligent debate of world events. It was this unlikely duo that I first learned that the 81,589-dwt tanker Prestige had finally sunk. The maritime industry had hit the mainstream again, and not in a positive light. The disaster really hit the big time with the publication of the November 25 edition of the the Wall Street Journal.

22 Nov 2002

IACS Council to Conduct Audit on Prestige Records

ABS has lodged a formal request with the IACS Council to direct the IACS Quality Secretary to undertake a Vertical Contract Audit of all ABS records relating to the tanker Prestige. the Spanish government. Energy and Transport, (DG TREN) and to Intertanko to participate in the audit. transparent action we are taking," said ABS President Robert D. Somerville. relating to this vessel. some clue to the possible initiating cause of the damage," Somerville said. quality system. initiating cause of the damage," said Somerville. and procedures. this casualty," Somerville added.

02 Dec 2002

ISU Calls for Action

The loss of the tanker Prestige should convince the international community of the need to deal with the places of refuge issue once and for all, the International Salvage Union (ISU) said today. Joop Timmermans, ISU President, says: “Clearly, no-one is satisfied with the present system, which is dominated by knee-jerk reactions from politicians who have no experience of marine salvage and the assessment of pollution threats. There must be a better way of working. “Salvors are best qualified to provide technical input when requests for shelter are made. Naturally, the salvor wants to save the ship and keep the pollutant inside the vessel. This is also what the politicians want.

25 Nov 2002

SCA Says Prestige Sinking Shows Danger

The Shipbuilding Council of America (SCA) says the sinking of the 26-year old tanker Prestige illustrates the danger of continued operation of single-hulled tank vessels. The accident should serve as a warning to shippers who continue to look for cheap alternatives to modern, double-hull tank vessels. SCA has long been warning of the dangers of continued operation of aged single-hull tank vessels. “Unfortunately, even in the U.S., companies continue to charter older, single-hull tankers similar to the sunken Prestige at discounted rates,” stated SCA President Allen Walker. No new product tankers are under construction or on order for the domestic trades. Only 21 product tankers in the U.S.-flag fleet are currently double-hulled and 10 of those vessels are more than 16 years old today.

20 Nov 2002

Prestige Sinks

The single-hulled tanker, Prestige, split and sank off the coast of Spain yesterday. The tanker was carrying approximately 70,000 tons of oil before sinking about 100 miles off the northern coast of Spain. Although some oil has already washed ashore from the casualty, Spanish government officials say the Prestige hasn’t leaked any oil since it sank.

19 Nov 2002

Prestige Breaking Up

SMIT Salvage has confirmed that the Prestige is currently breaking up in international waters. The Salvage team remains on scene but has had no choice but to disconnect from the stricken vessel. 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil as cargo. miles west of Cape Finisterre. attempt would have been successful. and Portugal. The crew was evacuated safely, but the master has been arrested by Spanish authorities for allegedly causing environmental damage and delaying salvage. be twice as large as that of the Exxon Valdez.

20 Nov 2002

Interanko Calls for Port of Refuge Agreement

Intertanko and BIMCO have expressed regret with the loss of the tanker Prestige and the environmental, social and economic consequences of this incident. Intertanko and BIMCO have welcomed the statements of ABS and the Bahamas Maritime Authority that they are making available all of the historical records on Prestige. It is their believe that it is essential all major marine casualties are comprehensively investigated and that the results are made public so that important lessons can be learned. We also join the Bahamas Maritime Authority in expressing our gratitude to the Spanish Rescue Services who rescued the entire crew. This incident highlights the industry's concern surrounding coastal states' continued reluctance to admit ships into ports of refuge.

19 Nov 2002

ABS Begins Technical Investigation for Prestige

ABS has launched a detailed technical investigation into the possible causes of the damage sustained by the 81,589 dwt, Bahamas-flag tanker Prestige, operated by Universe Maritime Ltd of Greece. "Early reports of the incident have been confusing with respect to the type of damage sustained, the possible causes of the damage and the extent of the pollution that occurred," said ABS President Robert D. Somerville. "Now that the salvors appear to have stabilized the vessel, we have asked all the parties concerned for full details, including the initial and damaged loading conditions so that we can conduct appropriate strength and stability analyses," he said. "We have also established a close liaison with the flag State.

31 Jan 2003

IACS Issues Report on Prestige

The IACS Quality Committee has formally presented to IACS Council its final report on the ad hoc audit of ABS survey procedures as they relate to the loss of the tanker Prestige. The audit was conducted by the IACS Quality Secretary supported, as needed, by two senior, experienced IACS auditors. At the request of ABS, IACS agreed that observers from the IMO, the European Union, the Bahamas Maritime Administration and Intertanko accompany the auditors. The audit team visited the ABS Headquarters, and the shipyards and ABS offices in Dubai and China that conducted the previous annual and special surveys respectively on the vessel. In addition to a comprehensive review of all files and documentation relating to these surveys…

07 Feb 2003

Prestige Captain Freed from Spanish Jail

Apostolos Mangouras, the captain of the tanker, Prestige, was freed from jail after London P&I posted $3.2 million for bail. Mangouras, 68, has been held in jail in Spain close to three months pending trial on charges of causing pollution and disobeying orders from maritime authorities. The London Protection and Indemnity Club which insured the Prestige paid the bail voluntarily, saying the Greek captain was a hero who risked his life in an effort to save the ship.

10 Mar 2003

Oil Spill Response: Alstom Has Innovative Spill Clean Up Concept

At press time, the news of the oil refinery explosion in MR/EN's neighboring borough of Staten Island, NY has rocked not only New York City and its environs, but once again proven the tenuous hold that is sometimes had in the process of delivering petroleum products by ship and barge. Piecing together scattered first-hand and wire reports, it is alleged that the cause of the explosion was a barge belonging to Hicksville, N.Y.-based Bouchard Transportation Co. that exploded while workers were offloading 100,000 barrels of unleaded gasoline off the Bouchard B#125 barge at the ExxonMobil Port Mobil Terminal in Staten Island. Killed in the blast were two longtime Bouchard employees…

31 Mar 2003

ISU Warns that Environmental Salvage is Undervalued

Salvage services with environmental objectives are undervalued, according to the International Salvage Union. ISU President Joop Timmermans told some 200 delegates at the March 2003 Fourth International Marine Salvage Conference: “In the ISU’s view, environmental defense – as a function of salvage – is undervalued. The ISU–sponsored conference was held at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Joop Timmermans said the salvor’s reward for his traditional role, property recovery, was related to the value of that property. As for any additional value placed on environmental – or public interest – salvage services, the Special Compensation provided under Article 14 of the Salvage Convention is confined, essentially, to the reimbursement of expenses.

05 May 2003

Bunker Industry Fueled by Word Affairs

Bunkering is an industry in its own right, but one that is squeezed by events, which happen in the much bigger industries that we are the bridge between. We are vital to both the energy and shipping markets, and at the mercy of both. When the energy markets move, our prices move. When crude availability is tight, bunkers suffer. When air quality laws force refineries to change their practices, bunkers suffer. And when shipping suffers an accident, bunkers can also suffer. Until recently, bunkering was at the mercy of regulators and regulations, which were not necessarily aimed at it. Fuel oil has been very much in the European news over the last few months, simply because a lot of it was spilled from the stricken tanker Prestige, off north Spain.

14 Nov 2002

ABS Confirms Prestige Casualty

of Greece. The society is encouraged by the latest reports indicating that the incident has been largely brought under control and is hopeful that the vessel and the cargo will be brought safely to port. At the time of the incident the vessel was in full compliance with all ABS classification requirements, including the IACS Enhanced Survey Program for older tankers. Dubai in May 2002. The last Classification Special Survey and drydocking was carried out in Guangzhou in China in May of 2001. outstanding class or statutory issues attached to the vessel. The Prestige was built to ABS class requirements by Hitachi Zosen in 1976. vessel's recent survey history. ABS President Robert D. crisis management team upon learning of the incident. he stressed.