Spain Tightens Rules On Ship-To-Ship Transfers

The Spanish government has tightened its rules around ship-to-ship oil transfers after an uptick in the activity along its coastline according to Reuters.

• Oil tankers seeking to carry out operations off the Mediterranean and Atlantic shores, even outside territorial waters, will have to seek authorization from the closest Spanish port captaincy, according to a new rule due to come into force 20 days after it was published on March 22.
• Boats seeking to service these tankers loaded with crude oil, refined products or other chemicals will also have to request specific authorization.
• Ship-to-ship operations have become more common following the introduction of the G7/EU oil price cap on Russian seaborne crude and the EU’s ban on Russian crude oil imports.