For a long time oceans were seen as vast and restless. In recent years, however, this view has changed since the pollution of the sea became an ever serious problem. Fairly cleaned liquids as well as various waste-pieces have massive implications on the maritime life. In addition, intentionally discharged as well as accidentally released oil-products propose a huge challenge to the global community.
Therefore the essay elaborates on this ecological issue with focus on oil-tankers as well as it lists up international actions taken against it. These are regime-induced (MARPOL 73/78) modifications at the ships itself such as load on top, segregated and protectively located ballast tanks, crude-oil-washing and double-hulls.
The hypothesis of the paper is that the international measures taken have been adequate in general and changed the discharging habits of the industry lastingly. The agreements also seem to have made it possible to have the oceans nowadays less polluted than it assumably would have been without them. Therefore, apart from minor potential future corrections, the international regime for protecting the oceans against the pollution from oil-tankers was rather successful.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction and academic method
2 A deadly collection of ecological issues for the high seas
2.1 Accidents and unintended actions
2.2 Intended oil-discharging on sea
3 International Maritime Organisation, or the arise of a regime
3.1 Pre-MARPOL 73/78 agreements
3.2 The MARPOL 73/78 agreement and its amendments
4 Regime-induced modifications and procedures at oil-tankers
4.1 Load-on-top technique
4.2 Segregation and protective location of ballast tanks
4.3 Crude-oil-washing
4.4 Single-hull turned into double-hull tankers
4.5 Assessment of the actions taken – and ideas beyond
5 Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the effectiveness of international regulatory regimes, specifically the MARPOL 73/78 convention, in mitigating marine oil pollution caused by oil tankers. It analyzes how technological and legal requirements have transformed shipping practices to minimize both intentional and accidental oil discharges.
- The environmental impact of ship-generated oil pollution on marine ecosystems.
- The evolution of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and international environmental law.
- Technological advancements in tanker design and operations, such as load-on-top, crude-oil-washing, and double-hull requirements.
- The interplay between economic motivations, industry compliance, and global environmental protection standards.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Segregation and protective location of ballast tanks
In terms of the pollution of the seas by oil there is also an issue linked with ballast tanks: some ships do not even have large enough ones. Once the ship is completely empty, the crew just fills the original cargo tanks – containing usually oil – with seawater. With this they are able to create additional ballast tank space as well as they can clean the tanks from unwanted oily leftovers of former cargo. Due to this oceans have to cope with thousands of tons of oil-water mixtures.
To protect the environment against such behaviour the International Maritime Organisation has introduced another MARPOL 73/78 amendment. This asks for the separation of ballast and cargo tanks as mentioned or, at least, the purchase of equipment to separate the oil-water mixture prior to releasing into the oceans. In addition computers monitor and report how much of each liquid is spilt.
This measure has two aspects to prevent unnecessary oil-discharging: (1) ballast water does not have to be contaminated by oil at all and so removes the problem of discharging it. This means that there is a need for separate ballast tanks, which are only loaded sometimes with ballast seawater. This means also, that oil-tankers have to have a separation of cargo, lines and slops inside. Obviously, this technique always was preferred by ship-building countries since it involves additional / higher turnover to their national shipyards. But (2) the tanks are also positioned where the impact of a collision or grounding is likely to be greatest. In this way the amount of cargo spilt after an accident will be greatly reduced. In addition to this, the MARPOL-amendments of 1983 bans the transportation of oil in front tanks, which are the ship's most vulnerable points in the event of a collision.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction and academic method: Discusses the global context of water pollution and introduces the scope and methodology of the research regarding oil-tanker impact.
2 A deadly collection of ecological issues for the high seas: Provides an overview of various marine pollutants and focuses on the specific ecological dangers posed by oil-discharging.
3 International Maritime Organisation, or the arise of a regime: Details the history and function of the IMO in creating a transition from self-regulation to global, legally binding environmental standards.
4 Regime-induced modifications and procedures at oil-tankers: Explains the technical and procedural innovations—such as load-on-top, segregated ballast tanks, and double-hulls—mandated by the regime to reduce pollution.
5 Conclusion: Summarizes the effectiveness of international conventions in reducing oil pollution through a combination of technical standards and political pressure.
Keywords
Marine Pollution, Oil Tankers, MARPOL 73/78, International Maritime Organisation, Oil Spills, Segregated Ballast Tanks, Crude-oil-washing, Double-hull, Environmental Policy, Maritime Law, Ballast Water, Ecological Impact, Ship Safety, Pollution Prevention, International Relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the success of the international regime, specifically the MARPOL 73/78 convention, in reducing marine oil pollution caused by oil tankers.
What are the central themes of the work?
Central themes include the environmental consequences of oil discharges, the role of international maritime regulations, and the technical modifications required for oil tankers.
What is the primary research hypothesis?
The hypothesis is that the international measures taken have been generally adequate, leading to a lasting change in industry habits and resulting in significantly less marine pollution than would have occurred otherwise.
Which scientific method does the author employ?
The author conducts a qualitative policy analysis, reviewing available literature, data, and industry reports from a critical perspective to evaluate the effectiveness of regime-induced changes.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers ecological issues of the high seas, the historical development of international agreements, and specific technical innovations such as load-on-top, segregated ballast tanks, and double-hulls.
How would you describe the key characteristics of this study?
The study is characterized by its focus on regime theory in international relations, the technical details of maritime engineering, and the evaluation of environmental success in a global industry.
Why are double-hull tankers considered more secure than single-hull tankers?
Double-hull tankers provide an extra layer of structural protection, which significantly reduces the probability of an oil spill occurring in the event of a grounding or collision.
How does the "load-on-top" technique function to reduce pollution?
It involves collecting oil-water mixtures in a special slop tank rather than pumping them overboard, allowing the oil and water to separate so that only the water can be safely discharged.
Does the author believe that MARPOL 73/78 is perfect?
No, the author acknowledges criticisms, such as exceptions for older ships, but concludes that the regime is far better for the environment than having no such regulations at all.
- Citar trabajo
- Michael A. Braun (Autor), 2006, Action against the pollution of the seas by oil, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/116896
