Double-hulled oil tankers by April 30

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) warned oil tankering companies that their licenses might be cancelled and they might be delisted from the Philippine registry if they fail to use double-hulled vessels by April 30.

Lawyer Vicente Suazo Jr., Marina administrator, said there would be no extension of the deadline even if some companies still fail to convert their oil tankers to double-hulled.

“There are no plans to do that. If they will not convert their ships, then they will have business problems,” he told The STAR.

Sources in the maritime industry said some tanker operators have been delaying their conversion plans, thinking that Marina might extend the deadline.

Marina has reportedly issued a Flag State Administration Advisory (FSAA) informing all oil companies worldwide that effective the end of April, no single-hulled very large crude carriers (VLCCs) would be allowed to enter Philippine waters to deliver oil to their depots.

Marina issued the advisory to avoid a similar incident that happened last December in Korea where a 270,000 deadweight single-hulled tanker caused a massive oil spill.

In August last year, the MT Solar I oil tanker sank off the coast of Guimaras in the Visayas, causing an oil spill that polluted the island’s coastal areas and extensively damaged marine life.

Wanting to avoid similar incidents, Marina issued Memorandum Circular 2007-001 strictly enforcing the use of double-hulled vessels in transporting oil.