Very often here at Oceana, we are faced with the task of making recommendations when ship accidents happen and we always demand that companies immediately remove pollutants than can cause an environmental disaster. Today none of this will be necessary, because the shipping company that owns “Maverick Two”, the ferry that ran aground last week … Read more
Amidst the heartbreaking news surrounding the deadly capsizing of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, another issue is beginning to emerge – that of the potential environmental impact the wreckage may have on the marine ecosystems. What is particularly concerning is that the ship capsized right next to the largest Italian National Park – an ecological … Read more
Cruise ship tourism has experienced massive growth in the last thirty years. During these three decades, the number of people opting to spend their vacation on board one of these vessels has multiplied by 25 and so, as a result, have any associated problems. More than 50 companies control almost 300 cruise ships that carry … Read more
The serious environmental impact on European waters caused by oil tanker accidents such as the Prestige, Erika, Aegean Sea, Haven, Braer, Betelgeuse, Sea Empress, Amoco Cadiz, Torrey Canyon, Urquiola, etc., bears witness to the situation of hazardous merchandise transportation by sea. Europe depends on this form of trade route for 70% of her imports, which … Read more
Almost 40% of the vessels flying the flags of one of the European Union states have shown deficiencies or committed violations of the MARPOL convention for the prevention of pollution from ships in the last four years, and this figure rises to 75% if we include all types of deficiencies. During this period of time, … Read more
Cruise ships generate an astonishing amount of pollution: up to 25,000 gallons of sewage from toilets and 143,000 gallons of sewage from sinks, galleys and showers each day. Currently, lax state and federal laws allow cruise ships to dump untreated sewage from toilets once the ships is three miles from shore. Within three miles, cruise … Read more
Eleven months after the launch of Oceana’s Stop Cruise Pollution campaign, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the second largest cruise ship line in the world, agreed to major reform of its waste treatment practices. This spares the oceans from 25,000 gallons of sewage from toilets and 143,000 gallons of sewage from sinks, galleys and showers every … Read more
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We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.
Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.
