Following the oil price’s collapse in early March as a COVID-19 outcome, the US Coast Guard informed that they are monitoring the increased presence of oil tanker vessels near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
As the oil prices collapsed below $0, as a result of COVID-19 that brought an unprecedented global energy glut, high storage levels and low prices led oil traders to charter ships for floating storage.
Reports state that more than 40 million barrels of oil is destined for the US Gulf and the west coast in the next few weeks.
Therefore, the USCG is closely monitoring the rise of oil tanker vessels, evaluating and adapting its procedures to ensure the safety of the vessels at anchor and the protection of the surrounding environment.
Cmdr. Marshall Newberry, from Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach commented that
Coast Guard watchstanders, in partnership with the Marine Exchange of Southern California, are closely monitoring each anchorage to manage the increased number of tank vessels we’re seeing off the California coast.
