Culloden and Ardersier councillor Trish Robertson calls for stronger maritime safety measures after North Sea oil tanker collision
A Highland councillor expressed her concerns over the “devastating” environmental consequences of the incident which saw a cargo ship and an oil tanker collide in the North Sea on Monday.
Culloden and Ardersier councillor, Trish Robertson, spoke out in her role as president of international organization KIMO, whose goal is to protect coastal communities and marine environments.
In a recent statement the organization raised concerns over reports of a huge spill in the Humber estuary coming from the Stena Immaculate, which carried 220,000 barrels of jet fuel.
The organization said that a spill of this magnitude could be could be catastrophic for the estuary’s wildlife, including vital fish stocks and tens of thousands of migrating birds.
In response to the incident, MS Robertson, stated: “This collision is a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in maritime activities and the devastating consequences that can arise when things go wrong.
“At KIMO, we have long advocated for stronger maritime safety measures, including robust maritime spatial planning, the provision of emergency towing vessels, enhanced emergency response preparedness, and stricter container ship safety regulations. These measures are critical to preventing incidents like this and mitigating their impact when they occur.
“The North Sea is a vital and busy waterway, and it is imperative that we learn from this tragedy to improve safety and environmental protection. Our thoughts are with the missing crew member’s family and all those affected by this incident.
“We urge all stakeholders to prioritise the protection of human life, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities in their response and future planning.”
KIMO called on governments, industry stakeholders, and environmental organisations to work together to contain and clean up the jet fuel spill, conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the collision and to strengthen regulations and safety protocols to prevent future accidents.
