A review of the problems posed by spills of heavy fuel oils

Abstract

Experience shows that spills of persistent heavy fuel oils, whether from cargo carried on tankers or bunker fuel used by ships in general, are among the most difficult to combat. Because of their viscous nature, which leads to prolonged persistence in the marine environment, these oils have the potential to cause widespread contamination of sensitive environmental and economic resources. This is also true for heavy crude oils and those crudes that form viscous and persistent emulsions, and many of the observations contained in this paper apply equally to such oils. The paper highlights some of the specific problems that the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) staff have experienced during their on-site involvement in over 150 fuel oil spills during the last 25 years including incidents such as the Eleni V (United Kingdom/Netherlands, 1978), Tanio (France, 1980), Nestucca (United States/Canada, 1988), Korea Hope (South Korea, 1990), Vista Bella (Caribbean, 1991), Katina P (Mozambique, 1992), Morris J Berman (Puerto Rico, 1994), Apollo Sea (South Africa), Iron Baron (Australia, 1995), Nakhodka (Japan, 1997), Evoikos (Singapore, 1997), Kure (United States, 1997), New Carissa (United States, 1999), Erika (France, 1999), Volgoneft 248 (Turkey, 1999), and Treasure (South Africa, 2000). This review of the practical lessons that can he learned from past events is intended to provide an informed basis for the selection of more effective response techniques and equipment, and for the development of improved spill response management and contingency planning.