ITOPF’s tanker spill statistics
ITOPF’s tanker spill statistics released today showed a slight increase in the number of large spills from tankers in 2013 compared to the previous two years but the downward trend is maintained.
Although the volume of oil spilt is also up on the last two years, the total quantity spilt so far this decade is only a sixth of that spilt for the same period in the previous decade.
Three oil spills of 700 tonnes or more occurred last year with one incident accounting for the vast majority of the total. In October the MT YONG WIN 3 reportedly capsized and sank spilling an estimated 5,000 tonnes of diesel oil. Two other incidents resulted in a spill of about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 800 tonnes of bitumen respectively.
These incidents illustrate the unpredictability of spills and the importance of preparing to respond to the range of oils involved.
ITOPF maintains a database of oil spills from tankers, combined carriers and barges. This contains information onaccidental spillages since 1970, except those resulting from acts of war.
Further information is available on ITOPF’sstatistics page.
