Brussels, 05/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - the International Maritime Organisation (WTO) decided on Friday to introduce internationally a system banning single hull tankers, which is similar to the system in force sine 21 October at a European level. At a special committee in London from Monday - Friday, the IMO decided: to ban the transport of heavy fuel (the most polluting) at a world level for single hull tankers by 5 April 2005 at the latest; ban on single hull tankers in international waters beyond 2010 with exception for certain tankers that are subject to severe and regular inspections; offer countries the chance to refuse access to their ports for single hull tankers that do not fulfil the conditions of age and inspections; to strengthen inspection for all single hulls a that are older than 15.
Loyola de Palacio Commissioner for transport was obviously happy at these measures and called on all IMO t ensure a rapid and effective implementation. "This decision comes at a critical moment" she indicated referring to the Russian oil affair with Geroi Sevastapol (se our bulletin yesterday p 14). "If the decision of the IMO was in force or if Latvia was already a member of the EU the then they would not have been able to leave. Thanks to Latvian government action, we will be able to determine whether a boat is reasonably safe. I insist that all candidate countries now apply European rules as well as before May 2004", she added.