---

Dept for Transport

Answer

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Prestige oil tanker has docked in the UK in the last 10 years; what safety measures are in place governing entry into UK docks for oil tankers; what measures he is taking to improve safety measures on oil tankers; what plans he has to work with European partners to bring forward the date for outlawing single-hulled oil tankers; and if he will make a statement on the reduction in size of the largest oil tankers in order to improve safety. [83151] Mr. Jamieson: [holding answer 28 November 2002]: The records which would enable the movements of this vessel to be plotted over the last 10 years are not readily available. However, records of ship movements for the last five years have been placed in the House Libraries. These record sightings of the PRESTIGE and details of its entries into port. They indicate that the PRESTIGE has called three times at UK ports (Tees in October 1998 and at Tees Bay and Tees in May 1999). The database of inspections under the port state control system does not record ship movements but does indicate that the vessel was inspected in Hull in July 1995 and has not been inspected in a UK port since then. The movement and manoeuvring of vessels in harbours is the responsibility of the harbour authorities. Since July 2002 the International Safety Management Code has applied to most vessels trading internationally. It is the international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. The UK was instrumental in securing international agreement to accelerate the phasing out of single hull tankers of 20,000 tons deadweight or more. Those having no additional protection must be phased out in order of age no later than the dates in the following timetable: 2003 for ships delivered in 1973 or earlier, 2004 for ships delivered in 1974 and 1975, 2005 for ships delivered in 1976 and 1977, 2006 for ships delivered in 1978, 1979 and 1980, 2007 for ships delivered in 1981 or later. Single hull tankers of 20,000 tons deadweight or more having a degree of additional protection, and all those between 5,000 to 20,000 tones deadweight, must be phased out in order of age no later than the following dates: 2003 for ships delivered in 1973 or earlier, 2004 for ships delivered in 1974 and 1975, 2005 for ships delivered in 1976 and 1977, 2006 for ships delivered in 1978 and 1979, 2007 for ships delivered in 1980 and 1981, 2008 for ships delivered in 1982, 2009 for ships delivered in 1983, 2010 for ships delivered in 1984, 2011 for ships delivered in 1985, 2012 for ships delivered in 1986, 2013 for ships delivered in 1987, 2014 for ships delivered in 1988, 2015 for ships delivered in 1989 or later. Shipbuilding and shipowning are long-term commitments. Investment in the newer double hull tankers depends on the stability offered by this timetable.There is no evidence that reducing the size of oil tankers will improve safety. However, at the recent Transport Council, we agreed to invite a proposal from the Commission to accelerate the timetable for phasing out single hull tankers even further, and to consider how the carriage of heavy oil in single hull tankers might be restricted, with a view to reducing the risk of a spill from a single hull tanker even more.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

83151; 396 c355-6W;396 c354-5W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Accidents Oil Safety Safety measures Tankers MV Prestige

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk