SHELL CALLS FOP IMPROVED TANKER SAFETY

Shell International Marine Ltd. has urged the European Commission and industry bodies to enforce tanker regulations and ensure that their agencies have enough resources to do so effectively. In a paper sent to European government and industry representatives, Shell presented a list of proposals for action by governments. The aim is to help force substandard ships out of business while leading to increased freight rates needed to encourage shipowners to invest in safer maintenance and manning

Feb. 2, 1993

2 min read

Shell International Marine Ltd. has urged the European Commission and industry bodies to enforce tanker regulations and ensure that their agencies have enough resources to do so effectively.

In a paper sent to European government and industry representatives, Shell presented a list of proposals for action by governments. The aim is to help force substandard ships out of business while leading to increased freight rates needed to encourage shipowners to invest in safer maintenance and manning policies, as well as new tonnage.

Shell urged governments to:

Improve accountability of flag state administrations to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Tighten links between tanker ownership and country of registry and prevent owners from "shopping around" among registries.
Tighten international manning, training, and certification rules.
Increase financial resources of government agencies to recruit and train sufficient qualified staff.
Improve quality, frequency, scope, and coordination of inspections while strengthening sanctions against substandard ships.
Publicize ship inspection deficiencies and inquiries into ship casualties.
Quickly ratify the 1992 IMO Protocols for Oil Pollution Compensation.
Speed payments from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (OGJ, Dec. 14, 1992, p. 24).

Shell said implementing its proposals would markedly improve tanker safety and hence the prevention of major oil spills, not least in removing some of the obstacles preventing industry from putting its own house in order.