Oil Pollution in the Waters of the Danish Sector of the North Sea

Abstract

This chapter deals with cooperation, organization, responsibility, statistics, preventive measures, equipment, etc. in relation to maintaining a clean marine environment in the Danish sector of the North Sea including the coast and harbours. In addition to international conventions, national legislation regulates responsibilities and organization with regard to aerial surveillance and oil spill response. Through multilateral agreements such as the Bonn Agreement, cooperation takes place with other North Sea countries with regard to aerial surveillance, oil spill response, operations, exercises, etc. Besides this international cooperation, there are a range of national collaborations between a number of national authorities and units which also takes place, not only in relation to ships but in relation to oil rigs as well, with an additional set of rules drawn up for the latter. Implementing preventive measures on the marine environment are also discussed in this chapter, together with measures such as vessel traffic zones which have yet to be established in the busiest maritime areas in the Danish part of the North Sea. The section on aerial surveillance and oil pollution statistics examines the numbers of incidents and numbers of oil slicks from ships and platforms. A steady decrease in mineral oil spills from ships has occurred over the last 10 years. During that period only one event requiring action to combat an oil spill has taken place in the Danish sector of the North Sea.