Shipping Organizations Agree On Improved Self Policing

The eight main shipping organizations said on Friday they have agreed the need to set up better self policing and accident investigation procedures after the Erika pollution incident off France. A working group to review links in the chain of responsibility to prevent disasters like the Erika will be set up, the shipping organizations said. The 25-year-old tanker Erika broke in two off France last December causing massive pollution to western French beaches after it spilled about 10,000 tons of its fuel oil cargo. The review would address issues of transparency, internal and external investigation procedures and accountability of industry self-policing, the organizations said. Weaknesses in all these elements of the industry have been criticized since the Erika sank. Groups involved in the review include the International Association of Classification Societies; tanker owners organization Intertanko; bulk carrier owners body Intercargo; and cargo insurance agents in the International Group of P&I Clubs.