WRITTEN QUESTION E-3096/00 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Unchecked dumping of waste by oil tankers.
Date: 2000-10-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common transport policy, harbour installation, oil pollution, tanker

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/61

(2001/C 151 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3096/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(4 October 2000)

Subject: Unchecked dumping of waste by oil tankers

It is common practice along our coasts for tankers to degas and clean the tanks in which they transport
gas oil and oil. Such practices, conducted away from port facilities, lead to pollution such as that provoked
by the CampurdÆn oil tanker in the Ares ria in Galicia, Spain, on 23 July last.

Although all the EU Member States are signatories to the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (Marpol 73/78), the dumping of waste and residues, including oil, into our seas
continues. This unacceptable practice is due in part to the lack of suitable port facilities for waste disposal.

Perhaps for this reason, in the specific case of the CampurdÆn, which had a crack in its hull in need of
repair, the La Coruæa port authority made the tanker leave the port so as to avoid polluting it. The port
authority thus ensured that the tanker moved away to a distance of two or three miles before conducting
cleaning and degassing operations unchecked, hoping no doubt that the dumped material would be swept
out to sea, and any subsequent protests with it.

At its most recent plenary session the European Parliament approved the Directive on port reception
facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues.

Is the Commission aware of the aforementioned incident? Has it received any other complaints on this
matter?

How does the Commission intend to force ports to provide suitable facilities able to cope with incidents of
this nature, instead of diverting ships and the waste they dump to clean areas such as the Ares ria or the
out at sea?

What action will it take to prevent a repetition of this regrettable incident?

How does it intend to ensure that such practices, which tend to go unpunished, are abandoned?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2000)

Operational oil pollution by ships represents a greater share of the total marine oil pollution than that
caused by accidents. The Commission is regularly informed about this type of incident, and is seriously
concerned about the problem of voluntary discharges at sea.

A great deal of the operational pollution from all types of ships in Community waters results from the
inability of some ports to provide adequate waste reception facilities and, of course, from reluctance of
ships to use them for various reasons. The recently adopted Parliament and Council Directive 2000/59/
EC (1) on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues addresses these problems and
introduces a number of requirements on both ports and ships to ensure that adequate facilities are
available in all Community ports and that they are used by ships.

On expiring of the time allowed for Member States to implement the Directive, 24 months after its
publication in the Official journal, the Commission will monitor that it is properly implemented in all
Member States. This includes ensuring that all ports provide adequate reception facilities, and undertake
regular waste management planning which is approved by national authorities. The Directive also imposes
an obligation for ships to notify the port of on-board quantities of wastes and residues and to deliver their

C 151 E/62

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

waste in certain circumstances. In addition all ships calling at Community ports have to contribute to the
financing of the facilities, irrespective of whether they deliver waste or not. This, coupled with spot checks
by the authorities, should greatly reduce the problem of oil pollution by ships, in cases such as that
described by Honourable Member.

Moreover, a new decision of the Parliament and of the Council setting up a Community framework for
cooperation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution should be soon finalised. This decision,
once adopted, will in particular allow the development of joint initiatives such as workshops or training
courses aiming to strengthen the measures taken by Member States against illicit operational spills from
vessels.

(1) Not yet published.

(2001/C 151 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3097/00

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 October 2000)

Subject: Rising price of oil

The year 2000 has provided further evidence of the instability in oil prices, the grave repercussions of
which highlight the high dependency of the EU on hydrocarbons for its energy. Europe consumes 19,6 %
of the oil on the world market. Moreover, according to the Europe 2020 study published by the
Commission, average dependency on external energy in Europe is rising from 50 % to 70 %. We are now
witnessing the third increase in crude oil production so far this year, with output having been increased by
800 000 barrels a day in the hope of bringing the price of oil into line with worldwide growth. Contrary
to the predictions made about it, oil has once again highlighted the volatility capable of affecting this
market.

In such circumstances, what measures is the Commission adopting to manage the demand for energy and
energy savings and to develop domestic resources, thereby finally giving a boost to renewable energies?

What criteria does the Commission advocate for Member States as regards the management of strategic
resources?

In the economic forecasts it presented last April, the Commission predicted that inflation would remain at
1,8 % this year and stand at 1,7 % in 2001, the assumption being that the price of a barrel of oil would
remain more or less stable at around USD 24,50. That assumption no longer reflects the real situation.
Will the Commission, therefore, revise its calculations when it presents its economic forecasts this coming
autumn? Has it entertained the possibility that oil companies might be reaching certain price-fixing
agreements as a means of distorting competition, contrary to the provisions set out in Articles 81 and
82 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 2000)

The present high price of oil is largely beyond the control of policy makers in the consumer countries in
terms of supply and underlines the need to continue developing a new demand strategy aimed at the
gradual replacement of oil by other energy sources, the increased use of renewable and alternative energy
sources, demand management, the improvement of energy efficiency, and the promotion of energy
savings,
in particular in buildings. As announced in its recent communication on oil supply in the
European Union (1), the Commission will present a plan on energy savings and diversification covering
both the boosting of energy efficiency, in particular in buildings, and support for the development of a
in Gothenburg. In addition, the future and the
new generation of vehicles at the European Council