SINGLE-HULL tankers carrying white oil will be phased out at the start of 2011. This was the agreement between the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association and the Association of Tanker Operators of the Philippines.
Marina originally wanted a 2010 schedule, a year after implementing the total phaseout of single-hull tankers carrying black oil.
Marina administrator Vicente Suazo, Jr., in an interview, said the agency has completed consultations with stakeholders.
“(But) it’s (just) funny that they (tanker operators) didn’t want the December 31, 2010 deadline, but agreed to January 1, 2011 because it sounded longer. They couldn’t do anything but follow because of the tight competition since oil companies themselves require them to be double-hulled,” Suazo said.
“Total and Pilipinas Shell, for instance, have told them to replace their fleet to double-hull in order to continue carrying their white or black oil,” he explained.
Of the 214 oil tankers in the country, 100 vessels carry white oil.
Marina is seeking the total phaseout of single-hull tankers by 2011 to comply with international standards.
Earlier, Marina said tanker operators not ready for the double-hull requirement could be delisted from the Philippine registry and their license to operate revoked.
The Marina board has already extended to yearend compliance to the double-hull requirement for black oil, provided special permits are secured.
