Denmark in an attempt to crackdown the “dark fleet” is set to begin increasing scrutiny of older tankers anchoring in its waters.
The older tankers anchoring in Danish waters will face more inspections as the Danish Maritime Authority strengthens its efforts to ensure that tankers at Skagen (Skaw) “comply with the rules of safety at sea, environmental protection and protection of seafarers.”
The Danish Maritime Authority revealed in its statement on Wednesday that it would be conducting more port state controls on tankers “that cannot be said to be in innocent passage” and that anchor at Skagen.
The authority raises concerns about mariner and environmental safety especially in case of an accident involving a damage or in case of a tanker sinking in its waters.
“This could have particularly far-reaching consequences for the safety, health and the environment,” the authority explains.
The decision to increase the port state control on tankers comes due to the “activity of older ships transporting oil through the Danish straits, which poses an increased risk and concern for the safety at sea, for the seafarers and the environment.”
Furthermore, the authority says that tankers have a “particularly high-risk profile” which means that this type of ship is given higher priority for selection for control than other types of ships.
