Erika. Ecological disaster and its consequences

 

On 12 December 1999, the Erika, a 25 year old single-hull oil tanker, carrying around 31,000 tons of heavy fuel oil experienced a structural failure. Consequently, the tanker broke in two in Bay of Biscay, Southern Brittany, polluting almost 400 km of French coastline.

As a result of the sinking, a large proportion of the vessel’s cargo and bunkers spilled into the sea, releasing oil over the next few months, and causing repeated pollution of beeches. According to the ITOPF (International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation) during the clean up operation, 190,000 to 200,00 tonnes of oily waste was collected from shorelines.

The main environmental impact of the oil spill was on the sea birds. It is estimated that 74,000 birds covered in oil were recorded ashore along the coast of the Bay of Biscay alone, of which 42,000 were dead. This accident was claimed to be the biggest ever ecological disaster for Europe’s seabirds.

Heavily reported by the media, Erika disaster engaged the public and triggered a debate about safety of maritime transport, especially around old and poorly maintained ships and their inspection. In June 2002, the European Commission decided to take France to the Court of justice of the European Communities for a very low rate of inspections by port states, which at the time was less than 10%. 

This accident and public debate triggered the EU to introduce and adapt a series of preventive legislations. First series of proposal, known as Erika I package, introduced immediate actions 'to modify the standards in force relating to tankers and ships transporting dangerous or polluting material'. Shortly after the Commission proposed a second set of legislations (Erika II) consisting of one Directive and two Regulations, actions and the 'Final Push for Single Hull Tanker Regulations'. Third and final maritime safety package, introduced in November 2005, addressed civil liability and flag state. The European Parliament adopted the package in March 2009 and law came to force in June the same year. 

Although tankers will continue to be an integral part of our oceans, accidents such as sinking of Erika, allowed for stricter and more effective regulation and therefore prevention of further accidents.