Discharges of fuel oil (accidental) and oily water (operational), are harmful to both the flora and the fauna found in marine environments.
In the St. Lawrence, the number of pollution cases is diminishing constantly and the volumes involved are generally low.
Action Plan Arising from the Environmental Program
As is the case with any transportation activity, operating ships carries an inherent risk of accidental oil discharges. Nevertheless, it is possible to reduce this risk to a bare minimum with the help of better practices and more effective equipment.The action plan focuses on the identification of training and information needs as a first step, while the performance indicators are based on the implementation of a number of best practices and improvements to the technology used in ships’ engine rooms.
The implementation of an integrated oily water treatment system, such as that recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), would ensure better separation of fluids at their source, thereby leading to a significant reduction in the amount of oily water that requires treatment with specialized equipment. Such a system, which would involve some reorganization of the ship’s engine room, represents the most effective means available of reducing the risk of accidental discharges.