Oil spills: International problem requires international solution

Journal Article · Mon May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1978 · Eur. Community (Engl. Ed.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6355567

Kemezis, P

Oil spills are an international problem which requires international solutions. The forum where tanker safety issues are fought is the United Nations-affiliated Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO). IMCO has over 100 members but is dominated by the dozen or so top maritime powers. It was established in 1954 to prevent oil pollution, but up to 1978 its numerous accords on design and equipment had done little to cut oil spills. Up to 90% of sea pollution comes from dumping of oily ballast. IMCO had spent a lot of effort in devising ways to stop ships from dumping oily wastes over the side, but many tankers ignored the rules and dumped their waste at sea. It takes a big wreck to get real progress. The wreck of the Amoco Cadiz by spewing its 230 tons of crude oil in 1978 onto the north Brittany coast may now increase the international momentum to improve tanker safety rules. The major issues to be dealt with are: (1) poor seamanship, (2) tanker safety design, (3) international oil spill liability, and (4) national programs to prevent and clean up spills.

• OSTI ID: 6355567
• Journal Information: Eur. Community (Engl. Ed.); (United States), Vol. 207
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SAFETY STANDARDS
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TANKER SHIPS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
FOREIGN POLICY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL CONTROL
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM
REGULATIONS
SAFETY ENGINEERING
TRANSPORT
WATER POLLUTION
AGREEMENTS
ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SHIPS
STANDARDS
520600* - Environment
Aquatic- Regulations - (-1989)