Oil pollution in the Mediterranean.

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed sea with specific hydrological and ecological features which make it vulnerable to the effects of pollution. It has a fairly extensive coastline (46,000km long) when related to its water mass and pollution hazards are extremely critical to the environment and to related economic interests. The traffic density of merchant vessels in the Mediterranean, which represents less than 1% of the total area covered by the world's oceans, is particularly high. It is estimated that 3% of the international sea-borne trade originates or is directed to the Mediterranean parts or passes through the Mediterranean Sea and that some 20-25% of the world's sea-borne oil traffic transits through the Mediterranean. Malta's position in the Mediterranean is very vulnerable. Approximately 1500 tankers (9000 ship calls) and 700,000 tonnes of bunkers pass annually through the Mediterranean Sea. With one-fourth of the world's oil tankers plying its waters, Malta's Mediterranean coastline runs a daily risk of oil contamination. Transporting oil is risky, and the growing number of tankers sailing close to Malta has prompted increasing concerns on the island about its ability to deal with a major oil spill. (European Environment Agency, 2010)