Review article
https://doi.org/10.7225/toms.v02.n01.006
Methods of Pollution Removal after Tanker “Erika” Accident
Ivan Čović
; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
Anamarija Šimunac
; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
Jelena Veža
; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
Merica Slišković
orcid.org/0000-0003-3951-9822
; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
Gorana Jelić-Mrčelić
; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
Abstract
Marine accident of the Maltese tanker Erika is the biggest
environmental disaster ever to hit France. 12th of December
1999, on the way from Dunkerque (France) to Livorno (Italy),
Erika broke in two and sank near the French coast, spilling around
20.000 tons of heavy fuel oil into the sea. About 11.000 tons of
dangerous cargo, trapped inside the sunken wreck, presented
a danger to the environment. Severe weather conditions
prevented any offshore clean-up operations. Oil trapped inside
the wreckage was pumped out, while the on-shore clean-up
operations lasted for another two years. This accident had a
direct impact on the economy of affected regions and resulted
in numerous lawsuits against the ship owners, charterers and
classification societies. This paper aims to provide an overview of
oil spill pollution clean-up methods and technologies after the
accident of tanker Erika.
Keywords
Oil spill; Offshore clean-up operations; Oil pumping; On-shore clean-up operations
Hrčak ID:
100529
URI
Publication date:
20.4.2013.
Visits: 3.361 *