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Abstract. In the last 20 years the shipping industry has seen dramatic and significant legislation worldwide which has impacted vessel design and operations in aspects such as safety, environment, logistics and the economics of operation. This legislation is developed by many sources such as the International Maritime Organization, Port State Controls under the jurisdiction of Governments or Flag States, Classification Societies and Ship Charterers' and is added to by the many industry bodies issuing guidelines for operation and safety. This legislative process in oil tanker operation has accelerated over the past five years primarily as a consequence of the ‘Exxon Valdez’ incident and has focused the attention of the public on the oil tanker industry.
The operation of oil tankers between the early 1970's to the present day has evolved dramatically both in safety considerations and environmental safeguards through International Conventions such as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the Marine Pollution Convention (MARPOL). The evolution has impacted major design aspects, operational changes and an increased safety and environmental awareness both onboard the vessel and in the shore based offices.
In addition to the issues relating to design legislation compliance, the industry has now focused attention on operational legislation through compliance with the International Safety Management Code (ISM).
The final sections deal with the
SUMMARY economic impact of the legislation in relation An introduction is given to the history of to cargo loss and higher operating costs and vessel environmental regulatory matters draws comparisons between the various leading up to the last 25-year period. This designs resultant from International legislation. outlines the major impacts on the evolution of Future major legislation that will come into the changes from the late 19th Century to the force over the next few years is also main Regulations that have impacted over the highlighted along with the difficulties of recent past before going on to the main body compliance. of the paper and the major Legislation It has to be emphasized that this paper impacting vessel design and operation. only touches on the subjects very briefly due to The main breakdown in Legislative the magnitude of the Regulations and limited changes over the past 25 years are highlighted text and time. The whole impact and the and discussed in relation to the design, complete Regulations go into many volumes structure, operation and economic impact on and requirements. Hence only some of the vessels in service. This covers the major major points from the changes are mentioned Conventions and Unilateral instigation of and discussed.
OPA-90, by the USA, after the "Exxon Valde"
INTRODUCTION
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