Tankships in the marine environment - Part II - Environmental and health effects resulting from marine bulk liquid transport

There are a number of harmful effects that have been induced by emissions f rom large vessels carrying bulk liquids. These are reviewed. A number of hazards are cargo-specific. Of special concern are liquids whic h after discharge or spillage float on the surface of the sea. Sea birds ar e regularly Victims of discharged oil, most of which, however, is discharge d from machinery spaces from all kinds of ships. Marine mammals have been c ontaminated or killed after tankship spills. Water soluble discharges may a ccumulate in fish and shellfish, thus tainting or contaminating seafood. Sp ills and discharges of toxic substances create direct hazards to human heal th. There are also hazards which are not connected with the cargo. Tankships ha ve large hulls which are covered with antifouling paint and consequently em it toxic chemicals. Empty sea-going tankships have to be ballasted with lar ge quantities of water. By discharging the ballast water before loading, fo reign material is introduced into that remote marine environment. Connected with this are hazards for the marine environment as well as for human hear th.