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UK beaches slowly improving
Marine Pollution Bulletin
'Green' Shipping During early 1991 a number of Norwegian shipping and research organisations started on a challenging programme with the aim of developing environmentally friendly shipping. This 'Green Ships' programme was introduced in response to increasingly demanding international and national environmental legislation. Four years on the results are extremely productive and Norway is now placed as a leading nation in terms of 'environmentally friendly' shipping. As a result of the programme a number of goals have been achieved, some of which are described below. However, just as important are the insights which will allow Norwegian shipping to achieve further waste reductions in future years and help shape future environmental legislation. • The reduction of atmospheric pollution, particularly NO Xand SOx, during normal operations was one of the main objectives of the 'Green Ships' programme. Research establishments and commercial companies joined forces to reduce pollutant levels directing their efforts towards engine technology, exhaust gas treatment and the modification of fuels. Thus far, reductions of 1520% for NO x by modifying engine technology, and 90% for sulphur and 50% for particulate materials by seawater washing of exhaust gases, have been achieved. • As part of the programme, a system for reducing shipboard waste to a minimum has also been introduced. This system is based on the principal of separating waste at source with the aim of maximum volume reduction. Green ships can achieve up to 97% reduction in waste volume and a weight reduction of 90%. Handling waste glass is a particular problem. The programme advises against incineration, as the molten glass forms large clumps incorporating other wastes, but suggests segregation and crushing as a suitable alternative. In this way, the volume of waste glass may be reduced by 75%. • A major cost and environmental impact of hydrocarbon transportation by tankers is the amount of cargo lost to the atmosphere. It is estimated by Statoil, the Norwegian oil company, that they lose the equivalent of one shipload of crude oil per year in the North Sea via vapour emissions from tankers. However, the 'Green Ships' programme has developed a number of relatively simple design changes that may reduce vapour losses by 30-50%. These include the introduction of a hydrocarbon-saturated atmosphere above the cargo, thus reducing evaporative losses, and the multiple division of the cargo hold during loading and discharge. HAMISH MAIR
1 Million Tonnes of Oil Rescued by Salvors Over a million tonnes of oil has been safely retrieved by salvors last year according to the results of an annual 360
survey on pollution prevention published by the International Salvage Union (ISU) and reported in a recent Lloyd's List. Even in such a quiet year, 14 tanker incidents had occurred where oil pollution was a potential threat. 1.2 million tonnes of oil had been salvaged along with 53 000 tonnes of bunker oil from other ships. Eleven vessels carrying hazardous chemicals had also been salvaged and 87 000 tonnes of the chemicals recovered. The ISU is calling for a revision of rules relating to the speed at which a ship's master reports problems to give more time for salvage companies to prepare. They are also recommending that more vessels are fitted with emergency towing connections. The ISU is now working with shipowners and insurers, to encourage salvage companies which are investing in new equipment rather than opportunists.
UK Beaches Slowly Improving The National Rivers Authority's (NRA) latest report on bathing water quality indicates that whilst more UK beaches are meeting EC standards, many are likely to fail to comply with standards by the end of the 1995 deadline agreed in Brussels. Of the 419 beaches designated in England and Wales, 1994 test results indicate that 345 (83%) now meet mandatory coliform bacteria standards set by the Bathing Water Directive (1976/160/EEC). Thirteen more standards have been added since 1993. However, only 65% of the designated beaches have consistently complied with minimum mandatory standards over the last three years, whilst 5% have consistently failed to reach these standards for the last three or more years. Whilst some regions show an overall improvement, others show a decline in the quality of bathing waters. The NRA is responsible for regulating privatised regional water companies which manage sewage treatment and disposal operations. Whilst many schemes to upgrade treatment and disposal plants have been, or soon will be, completed, others have been delayed by technical, planning or other problems. For instance, one beach at Weston-Super-Mare, on the UK's south west coast, has failed to meet basic standards since 1990. However, despite extensive investigations, NRA scientists have failed to isolate the source of the sewage which is polluting the beach. Such problems are likely to lead to 35-40 beaches failing to reach minimum standards by the compliance deadline at the end of 1995. Meanwhile, discussions continue on a proposed new EC bathing waters directive, which was also originally due to come into force at the end of 1995. Now likely to be postponed by at least a decade, the new directive will probably introduce new standards for faecal streptococci bacteria and sewage-related viruses, reflecting scientific advances in monitoring and treatment technologies coupled with increasing evidence of the link between swimming in sewage-contaminated seawater and human illnesses. A recent compensation claim against a water company for a serious illness suffered by a man, allegedly resulting from ingesting sewage-polluted seawater whilst wind surfing, failed to
Volume30/Number 6/,!une 1995 reach court due to a lack of funds to meet legal expenses, so such evidence has yet to be judicially tested, Similarly, a compensation claim by the owner of a holiday beach for lost revenue resulting from sewage contamination was settled out of court. Whilst many members of the public are objecting to increases in water rates imposed to fund the current improvement schemes, it is estimated that it could cost over £4 billion to implement the new proposals, with running costs of up to £150 million a year. If the UK government refuses to 'subsidise' the recently-privatised water companies in order to finance the improvements in treatment and disposal facilities required to meet the proposals, it is likely that objections to the costs of such proposals will increase. Meanwhile, the Marine Conservation Society, which recently produced the 1995 Readers Digest Good Beach Guide (see Mar. Pollut. Bull. 29, 707), continues to highlight the problems of sewage pollution on beaches, and campaign for further improvements. PETER JONES
Seals and Fishermen in Conflict North Sea seals can devour more salmon in a year than the whole home fleet can catch according to a report given at a meeting of the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee in York this April. He voiced the concerns of many that the increasing number of seals in the North Sea is yet another threat to the fish stocks. They have been reported taking salmon from gill and trammel nets anchored to the sea bed. Seals appear to have survived the disease which killed many of their number and are now thriving. Although fishermen are entitled through the National Rivers Authority to shoot seals which threaten their nets, any attempt to do so is met with such protest from animal rights groups that culling has stopped. The problem around the Humber areas was highlighted at the meeting. Fish stocks have dropped and this is reflected in the number of fishermen the area supports. Only 11 licensed salmon fishermen remain out of the 130 present 12 years ago.
How Does the Oil Industry Use EIA? The use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the statutory planning process has increased markedly over recent years. However, there is also an important role for EIA as a management aid in industrial development projects. A recent study has confirmed the importance of this role in the offshore oil and gas industry. The study questioned 15 operators in the UK sector of the North Sea about their use of EIA within operations, and also reviewed the content of completed EIA reports against quality criteria established by the UK based Institute of Environmental Assessment. It is interesting to note that historically in the UK, offshore
oil and gas developments have not been required to complete a formal EIA process. Consequently, most of the EIA work carried out to date by this sector of industry has been driven by internal commitment. However, in recent licence rounds the conditions attached to acreage in inshore and sensitive areas have increasingly incorporated the need for a formal EIA to be completed. Against this background it is perhaps not surprising that the most influential factors in the completion of the EIAs were: corporate policy (35%), licence conditions (21%), that it aided decision-making (17%) and design (13%), and that it was a legal requirement (only 10%). Of the fifteen operators only one did not use an EIA process of some sort on its development. Since the EIAs are not usually statutory, internal standards are often used to structure these studies (66°/,, of the time). External influence is well balanced between US and European approaches to EIA. The use of external consultants is widespread but most companies felt that they had the expertise necessary to complete EIAs in-house. Turning to the quality of the EIA reports produced, features which were usually completed well were the description of the proposed development, the environmental description and the general layout of the report. The greatest improvements were needed in addressing alternative options for the proposed scheme and, in demonstrating that, the proposed mitigative measures were effectively implemented. The latter question often required feedback from construction, commissioning and operational phases of development activity. Consequently, there is still a need to audit the results of the EIA process as the development takes shape. However, it appears clear overall that EIA is being widely used in the oil and gas industry as it was first conceived, as an aid to management. The challenge remains to ensure that this use reaches its full potential, both for management and regulators alike. ( ] A R E T H DAVIES P E T E R TOPLISS
Marine Protection for South East Asia India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives have agreed to adopt an action plan to protect the marine environment by setting up a South Asian Sea Trust Fund. The plan covers international coastal zone management, regional contingency for tackling marine pollution, human resource development and problems of land-based sources of marine pollution. As a follow-up to the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into force last November, it will assess the course of marine pollution and promote methods and practices for its control. The area covered includes the northern Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and 361
'Green' Shipping During early 1991 a number of Norwegian shipping and research organisations started on a challenging programme with the aim of developing environmentally friendly shipping. This 'Green Ships' programme was introduced in response to increasingly demanding international and national environmental legislation. Four years on the results are extremely productive and Norway is now placed as a leading nation in terms of 'environmentally friendly' shipping. As a result of the programme a number of goals have been achieved, some of which are described below. However, just as important are the insights which will allow Norwegian shipping to achieve further waste reductions in future years and help shape future environmental legislation. • The reduction of atmospheric pollution, particularly NO Xand SOx, during normal operations was one of the main objectives of the 'Green Ships' programme. Research establishments and commercial companies joined forces to reduce pollutant levels directing their efforts towards engine technology, exhaust gas treatment and the modification of fuels. Thus far, reductions of 1520% for NO x by modifying engine technology, and 90% for sulphur and 50% for particulate materials by seawater washing of exhaust gases, have been achieved. • As part of the programme, a system for reducing shipboard waste to a minimum has also been introduced. This system is based on the principal of separating waste at source with the aim of maximum volume reduction. Green ships can achieve up to 97% reduction in waste volume and a weight reduction of 90%. Handling waste glass is a particular problem. The programme advises against incineration, as the molten glass forms large clumps incorporating other wastes, but suggests segregation and crushing as a suitable alternative. In this way, the volume of waste glass may be reduced by 75%. • A major cost and environmental impact of hydrocarbon transportation by tankers is the amount of cargo lost to the atmosphere. It is estimated by Statoil, the Norwegian oil company, that they lose the equivalent of one shipload of crude oil per year in the North Sea via vapour emissions from tankers. However, the 'Green Ships' programme has developed a number of relatively simple design changes that may reduce vapour losses by 30-50%. These include the introduction of a hydrocarbon-saturated atmosphere above the cargo, thus reducing evaporative losses, and the multiple division of the cargo hold during loading and discharge. HAMISH MAIR
1 Million Tonnes of Oil Rescued by Salvors Over a million tonnes of oil has been safely retrieved by salvors last year according to the results of an annual 360
survey on pollution prevention published by the International Salvage Union (ISU) and reported in a recent Lloyd's List. Even in such a quiet year, 14 tanker incidents had occurred where oil pollution was a potential threat. 1.2 million tonnes of oil had been salvaged along with 53 000 tonnes of bunker oil from other ships. Eleven vessels carrying hazardous chemicals had also been salvaged and 87 000 tonnes of the chemicals recovered. The ISU is calling for a revision of rules relating to the speed at which a ship's master reports problems to give more time for salvage companies to prepare. They are also recommending that more vessels are fitted with emergency towing connections. The ISU is now working with shipowners and insurers, to encourage salvage companies which are investing in new equipment rather than opportunists.
UK Beaches Slowly Improving The National Rivers Authority's (NRA) latest report on bathing water quality indicates that whilst more UK beaches are meeting EC standards, many are likely to fail to comply with standards by the end of the 1995 deadline agreed in Brussels. Of the 419 beaches designated in England and Wales, 1994 test results indicate that 345 (83%) now meet mandatory coliform bacteria standards set by the Bathing Water Directive (1976/160/EEC). Thirteen more standards have been added since 1993. However, only 65% of the designated beaches have consistently complied with minimum mandatory standards over the last three years, whilst 5% have consistently failed to reach these standards for the last three or more years. Whilst some regions show an overall improvement, others show a decline in the quality of bathing waters. The NRA is responsible for regulating privatised regional water companies which manage sewage treatment and disposal operations. Whilst many schemes to upgrade treatment and disposal plants have been, or soon will be, completed, others have been delayed by technical, planning or other problems. For instance, one beach at Weston-Super-Mare, on the UK's south west coast, has failed to meet basic standards since 1990. However, despite extensive investigations, NRA scientists have failed to isolate the source of the sewage which is polluting the beach. Such problems are likely to lead to 35-40 beaches failing to reach minimum standards by the compliance deadline at the end of 1995. Meanwhile, discussions continue on a proposed new EC bathing waters directive, which was also originally due to come into force at the end of 1995. Now likely to be postponed by at least a decade, the new directive will probably introduce new standards for faecal streptococci bacteria and sewage-related viruses, reflecting scientific advances in monitoring and treatment technologies coupled with increasing evidence of the link between swimming in sewage-contaminated seawater and human illnesses. A recent compensation claim against a water company for a serious illness suffered by a man, allegedly resulting from ingesting sewage-polluted seawater whilst wind surfing, failed to
Volume30/Number 6/,!une 1995 reach court due to a lack of funds to meet legal expenses, so such evidence has yet to be judicially tested, Similarly, a compensation claim by the owner of a holiday beach for lost revenue resulting from sewage contamination was settled out of court. Whilst many members of the public are objecting to increases in water rates imposed to fund the current improvement schemes, it is estimated that it could cost over £4 billion to implement the new proposals, with running costs of up to £150 million a year. If the UK government refuses to 'subsidise' the recently-privatised water companies in order to finance the improvements in treatment and disposal facilities required to meet the proposals, it is likely that objections to the costs of such proposals will increase. Meanwhile, the Marine Conservation Society, which recently produced the 1995 Readers Digest Good Beach Guide (see Mar. Pollut. Bull. 29, 707), continues to highlight the problems of sewage pollution on beaches, and campaign for further improvements. PETER JONES
Seals and Fishermen in Conflict North Sea seals can devour more salmon in a year than the whole home fleet can catch according to a report given at a meeting of the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee in York this April. He voiced the concerns of many that the increasing number of seals in the North Sea is yet another threat to the fish stocks. They have been reported taking salmon from gill and trammel nets anchored to the sea bed. Seals appear to have survived the disease which killed many of their number and are now thriving. Although fishermen are entitled through the National Rivers Authority to shoot seals which threaten their nets, any attempt to do so is met with such protest from animal rights groups that culling has stopped. The problem around the Humber areas was highlighted at the meeting. Fish stocks have dropped and this is reflected in the number of fishermen the area supports. Only 11 licensed salmon fishermen remain out of the 130 present 12 years ago.
How Does the Oil Industry Use EIA? The use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the statutory planning process has increased markedly over recent years. However, there is also an important role for EIA as a management aid in industrial development projects. A recent study has confirmed the importance of this role in the offshore oil and gas industry. The study questioned 15 operators in the UK sector of the North Sea about their use of EIA within operations, and also reviewed the content of completed EIA reports against quality criteria established by the UK based Institute of Environmental Assessment. It is interesting to note that historically in the UK, offshore
oil and gas developments have not been required to complete a formal EIA process. Consequently, most of the EIA work carried out to date by this sector of industry has been driven by internal commitment. However, in recent licence rounds the conditions attached to acreage in inshore and sensitive areas have increasingly incorporated the need for a formal EIA to be completed. Against this background it is perhaps not surprising that the most influential factors in the completion of the EIAs were: corporate policy (35%), licence conditions (21%), that it aided decision-making (17%) and design (13%), and that it was a legal requirement (only 10%). Of the fifteen operators only one did not use an EIA process of some sort on its development. Since the EIAs are not usually statutory, internal standards are often used to structure these studies (66°/,, of the time). External influence is well balanced between US and European approaches to EIA. The use of external consultants is widespread but most companies felt that they had the expertise necessary to complete EIAs in-house. Turning to the quality of the EIA reports produced, features which were usually completed well were the description of the proposed development, the environmental description and the general layout of the report. The greatest improvements were needed in addressing alternative options for the proposed scheme and, in demonstrating that, the proposed mitigative measures were effectively implemented. The latter question often required feedback from construction, commissioning and operational phases of development activity. Consequently, there is still a need to audit the results of the EIA process as the development takes shape. However, it appears clear overall that EIA is being widely used in the oil and gas industry as it was first conceived, as an aid to management. The challenge remains to ensure that this use reaches its full potential, both for management and regulators alike. ( ] A R E T H DAVIES P E T E R TOPLISS
Marine Protection for South East Asia India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives have agreed to adopt an action plan to protect the marine environment by setting up a South Asian Sea Trust Fund. The plan covers international coastal zone management, regional contingency for tackling marine pollution, human resource development and problems of land-based sources of marine pollution. As a follow-up to the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into force last November, it will assess the course of marine pollution and promote methods and practices for its control. The area covered includes the northern Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and 361