According to U.N. shipping regulations, single hulled oil tankers are still allowed to sail on all of the world's oceans until 2015 when a total ban on these ships goes into effect.
The Maltese flagged Byzantio was set to sail across the Baltic and the North Seas following the same route as the Prestige on its way to Singapore. Recently, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding, one of the world's leading port inspection authorities, placed Malta on safety "black list" for its failure to fulfil basic safety measures.
The Maltese flagged Byzantio was set to sail across the Baltic and the North Seas following the same route as the Prestige on its way to Singapore. Recently, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding, one of the world's leading port inspection authorities, placed Malta on safety "black list" for its failure to fulfil basic safety measures.
European ministers responsible for transportation, energy and telecommunications are scheduled to meet in Brussels on December 6 and maritime safety and environmental issues are expected to be high on the agenda. Denmark, the current seat of the E.U. Presidency, is expected to present several initiatives to tackle the issue of dangerous shipments.
"This is a chance for European governments to stop these hazardous shipments," concluded Svenberg. "They shouldn't waste it."
Greenpeace
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"This is a chance for European governments to stop these hazardous shipments," concluded Svenberg. "They shouldn't waste it."
Greenpeace
(Please continue for more information.)