Once again we should all be feeling satisfied that, in our economic planning for a better future for our islands, our teams from both the Government and SEPEC made the right decision in investing in a modern double-hull tanker.

The sinking of the single-hull tanker, Prestige, off the coast of Spain this week, reminded the world of the dangers of pollution from oil spillage from ageing single-hull vessels.

SEPEC and the Government must, as usual, have viewed the investment in a modern tanker with foresight.  Investment to build the double-hull Seychelles Pride  now is, indeed, good timing.

Seychelles Pride represents a real investment in the future economic development of our country as it is the type of ship that international organisations are welcoming in ports around the world.

The tanker involved in the serious oil spillage off the coast of Spain is an ageing single-hulled vessel. Such ships are vulnerable to oil spills after collisions or grounding. International organisations are working to phase them out over the next decade, and large numbers remain in service around the world.

The 26-year-old Prestige was bound from Latvia to Singapore carrying 77,127 metric tonnes of fuel oil.

Under European Union legislation drawn up after a 1999 oil spill, tankers more than 25 years old will not be allowed to trade in Europe after 2005.

In April 2001 the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) decided single-hulled tankers built in  1973 or earlier should be withdrawn by 2007 and more recent ones by 2015.

This is where the Seychelles Pride comes in nicely to take up some of the business of transporting oil products.

Lloyds Marine Intelligence estimates that 52% of tankers of more than 10,000 tonnes currently in service are single-hulled.  As these single-hulled vessels are phased out there is room for a couple of Seychelles Prides. These old tankers certainly need to be replaced by safer and more environmentally-friendly vessels like our own.  

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