Korea may not extend phase-out deadline for single hull tankers

South Korea’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is pushing for a ban on single hull tankers (over 5,000 dwt) from 2010. After a meeting with industry representatives it was decided to recommend slapping the ban to the government. The IMO’s revised regulation (13G) on Marpol provides for continued deployment of certain categories of single hull tankers beyond the phase-out cut off date of 2010 provided the ships fulfil stipulated conditions. They can continue trading up to 2015 or when they are 25 years old whichever is earlier. Japan, Singapore and Panama have indicated that they will permit single hull tankers in their waters subject to these conditions. But Korea’s maritime ministry is concerned over oil spills from accidents involving single hulls. The ministry is also convinced that the cost of cleaning up such spills would be higher than the costs associated with acquiring and operating double-hull tankers. The government is expected to inform the IMO about its decision in June after a law revision exercise.