EU: Double hull tankers only

The President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering has signed legislation stating that oil tankers transporting heavy oils will only be allowed to fly the flag of a European Union member state if they are double hulled. In addition - regardless of what flag they are flying - only double hulled tankers will be able to enter member states’ harbours or anchor in their territorial waters.

The press release does not give an implementation date but states the regulation ‘will enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union’.

This item will be updated as soon as the implementation date is confirmed.

EU regulation (EC) No457/2007

Source: Holland and Knight electronic newsletter