Press release - 1 December, 2002
Greenpeace action against the single-hulled oil tanker 'Byzantio' on its way from Tallin with its cargo of 50,000 tonnes of oil. Greenpeace inflatables attemp to stop and enter the ship displayinga banner reading HAZARD
Greenpeace activists went out to meet the oil tanker Byzantio as
it passed the straits between Denmark and Germany. Fourteen
activists on board 3 Inflatables sailed alongside the vessel and
displayed banners that read "Hazard" to highlight again that
vessels of this type are threatening the health and environment of
the world's oceans. Some banners have been attached to the hull of
the ship.
The Byzantio is a Maltese flagged ship that is transporting oil
for the same Russian-owned company "Crown Resources" that owned the
oil on the disastrous Prestige that broke off and sank off the
northwest coast of Spain on November 19. Like the Prestige, the
Byzantio is a 26-year-old single hull vessel carrying 50,000 tonnes
of the same oil.
"It is inconceivable that with the scars of the Prestige still
raw in people's memory, the Byzantio is being allowed to navigate,"
said Pernilla Svenberg of Greenpeace. "This is like laughing in the
face of danger. European governments must make tougher legislation
for all transport vessels through European waters."
On Friday, Greenpeace activists in Estonia successfully delayed
the departure of the Byzantio by placing and inflatables in the
Tallinn harbour and climbers on the ship's mooring lines. Thirteen
activists were arrested and later released.
European ministers responsible for transportation, energy and
telecommunications are scheduled to meet in Brussels on December 5
and 6 and maritime safety and environmental issues are expected to
be high on the agenda. Denmark, the current seat of the EU
Presidency, is expected to present several initiatives to tackle
the issue of dangerous shipments.
Greenpeace is demanding full and unlimited liability throughout
the chain of responsibilities, including the owners, managers and
operators of a vessel and of any charterers or owners of the cargo.
Additionally, Greenpeace is demanding that the EU implement an
urgent phase-out of sub-standard vessels, especially old
single-hull tankers and exclusion of ecologically sensitive areas
from shipping routes.