WRITTEN QUESTION E-0018/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 January 2000)

Subject: Oil discharged at sea

Oil discharges in the Atlantic and the North Sea are a threat to the various biotopes along Europe's coastline. The large number of birds covered in oil, mainly in December, January and February, illustrates the serious nature of the pollution. Ships usually make use of stormy weather to flush their oil tanks clean without being seen.

The only possible solution, according to the Maríne Ecological Centre in Ostend, would be rules making it compulsory for ships to clean their oil tanks before leaving port. Ships would not be able to leave without a certificate of proof.

Can the Commission agree to a directive making it compulsory for ships to clean their oil tanks before leaving port, given the threat to various biotopes along Europe's coastline from oil discharges? If not, why does the Commission feel that such an obligation is unnecessary and what alternative proposals does it have for effectively tackling the problem of oil discharges?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2000)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern about operational pollution in Community waters.

Regulations governing the reduction of operational pollution by tankers have been developed by the International maritime organisation (IMO) through the International convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (Marpol 73/78). These regulations have been effective in reducing operational pollution to the extent that modern crude oil tankers are no longer cleaning their tanks with water. The current phasing in of modern designs and operating systems is expected to reduce such pollution further in the next few years.

Much of the operational pollution from all types of ships in Community waters results from their inability in some ports to deliver cargo residues and ship generated wastes to shore facilities. The Commission proposal for a Council directive on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues(1) addresses this particular problem and introduces a number of requirements on both ports and ships to ensure that adequate facilities are available in all Community ports and that ships use them. By providing rules, incentives and control procedures for the delivery of ship-generated waste in ports, the need for discharges at sea will be greatly reduced. The Commission is confident that the proposed directive, currently in second reading in the Parliament, will have a strong effect on reducing operational pollution, and in particular oil pollution of all types of ships.

In addition, the Commission presented a proposal for a decision setting up a Community framework for co-operation in the field of accidental marine pollution(2). This proposal, currently under discussion in Council and Parliament, aims at further developing Community initiatives (common training, exchange of experts, exercises, pilot projects, exchange of information) in order to support Member States' efforts to tackle the problem of oil pollution at sea.

In view of the above, the Commission does not envisage, for the time being, preparing additional proposals requiring ships to clean their tanks before leaving port.

(1) OJ C 271, 31.8.1998.

(2) OJ C 25, 30.1.1999 amended by COM(1999) 641 final.