TANKER operators are getting ready for a long and ugly legal battle involving the implementation of Republic Act 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act with the release this month of the law’s implementing guidelines.
The Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association (Philpesta), Association of Tanker Operators of the Philippines and the Petroleum Institute of the Philippines said they are seeking legal redress against the law which mandates that for every liter of oil delivered by operators, P0.10 will go to the Oil Pollution Compensation Fund for use in cases of oil spills.
“With the continuing volatility in oil prices and the impending phase out of single-hull tankers operating in the domestic trade by April, the industry can hardly take any additional levy at the moment,” a Philpesta source told PortCalls.
