Maritime and Coastguard Agency
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Ship-to-ship transfer regulations consultation launched today
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) today launched a 12 week public consultation on proposal for new legislation to regulate ship-to-ship transfer operations in UK waters.
The legislation regulates transfers of hazardous substances, including oil, between ships in UK territorial seas so that:
* such transfers can only take place in harbour authority waters;
and
* the environmental impact of the transfers will be assessed.
Shipping Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, said:
"These measures will ensure that ship-to-ship transfer operations in UK waters continue to be of the highest standards in terms of safety and protecting the environment, and further reduces the risk of an oil spill in UK waters.
I encourage everyone with an interest in this area to submit their comments to the MCA."
The consultation closes on 7 July. Full details of the
consultation can be found on the MCA website, at:
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/shipsandcargoes/consultations.htm
Notes to Editors:
1. The Regulations are made under section 130 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The aim of the Regulations is to control ship to ship transfers of hazardous substances within the outer limits of the UK's territorial waters.
2. The harbour authority where the transfer will take place must carry out an assessment of the possible environmental impact of the transfer before consent can be given for the transfer.
3. The Regulations also implement the European Habitats Directive in respect of ship to ship transfer and means that harbour authorities will also have to consider whether there will be a significant effect on any European designated conservation site.
4. Harbour authorities where ship to ship transfers are already carried out will also be required to carry out an assessment of the environmental impact of those operations.
Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at http://www.mcga.gov.uk
