Recent data from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) – an organisation that I am proud to be Chairman of – has once again shone a spotlight on the areas of progress and improvement needed as our sector works to combat the impact of oil spills.
The headline figures paint an encouraging picture for the mainstream tanker market. We've seen spill frequencies plummet by over 90% since the 1970s, even as global oil trade has grown significantly. That's a testament to decades of investment in safety, training, and operational excellence across our industry.
But here's where it gets interesting. In 2024, ITOPF recorded six large spills (over 700 tonnes) and four medium spills (7-700 tonnes). While these numbers keep us firmly below historical levels, they represent a slight uptick that deserves our attention. The total volume lost to the environment was approximately 10,000 tonnes – a figure that highlights both our progress and the work still ahead.
What's particularly striking is how the industry landscape has evolved, especially regarding the parallel fleet – often called the 'dark fleet'. These vessels operate with outdated equipment, reduced oversight, and outside of the international system of norms that we are all accustomed to. When combined with complex ownership structures and limited transparency, this creates a perfect storm for potential incidents.
The dark fleet's role in oil spills cannot be ignored. While mainstream tanker operations have significantly reduced spill frequencies over the decades, the rise of these unregulated, high-risk vessels presents a growing environmental threat.
An investigation last year by POLITICO and the not-for-profit journalism group SourceMaterial found at least nine instances of dark fleet vessels leaving oil spills since 2021. The actual number is unknowable, and probably higher.
Operating without stringent regulation and accountability, these vessels remain a ticking time bomb, operating outside the safety norms that the rest of the industry has worked hard to uphold.
The contrast with the mainstream fleet couldn't be starker. While most tanker owners have invested heavily in crew training, maintenance, and safety systems over the past decades, the parallel fleet often operates outside these established standards. This divergence creates not just environmental risks, but also an uneven playing field that could undermine the industry's collective progress on safety.
Meanwhile, FPSOs and barges continue to present their own set of risks, often operating in challenging environments with unique operational complexities. The enforcement of pollution fines has become more stringent across all sectors, reflecting heightened environmental expectations. While we may not see incidents on the scale of the Torrey Canyon anymore, the combination of these factors – particularly the growing parallel fleet – presents very real risks to our industry's environmental record and reputation.
The numbers tell an interesting story about major incidents. From 2020 to 2024, 91% of the 38,000 tonnes spilt came from just 10 large incidents. This concentration of impact means that every single operation, every decision, carries enormous weight. We simply can't afford to be complacent.
I'm often asked what makes the difference in today's market. The answer is straightforward: first-class shipping isn't just nice to have – it's essential. High-quality tonnage, best-in-class safety standards, and well-supported crews are the foundation of sustainable operations.
Shipowners who invest in resilience and rigorous compliance aren't just protecting the environment; they're securing their commercial future.
At Stena Bulk, we've seen how this approach pays dividends. Despite the market's cyclical nature and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, maintaining high standards has helped us deliver consistently for our customers. It's not always the easiest path, but it's unquestionably the right one.
Looking ahead, the path is clear. The dramatic decline in spill frequency since the 1970s proves that our industry thrives when we commit to excellence. As we navigate evolving regulatory requirements and mounting sustainability pressures, maintaining high standards isn't just about environmental protection – it's about leading the way.
You can find the detailed ITOPF statistics here: https://www.itopf.org/knowledge-resources/data-statistics/oil-tanker-spi...
By Erik Hånell, President & CEO of Stena Bulk
February 2025