EMEA News
UK Government Publishes Results of Ship to Ship Transfer Reg Review
The UK's Department for Transport, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and Regulatory Policy Committee today announced that it has released new documents detailing the results of a review concerning the ship to ship (STS) transfer regulations, which have now been operational for five years after being updated in 2012.
"The policy objective of the 2012 Regulations was to ensure STS transfers are conducted safely but in a less restrictive way than allowed for under the 2010 Regulations while minimising the risk to the UK's seas and coasts by reducing the likelihood of the activity being displaced to less safe international waters," explained the report.
"This involved allowing STS transfers within a designated area of the UK territorial sea off the coast of Southwold."
Specifically, the review was designed to verify if the regulations had achieved their original objectives, if those objectives were still relevant, and if the regulations were still required, or could be improved to reduce the burden on business and its overall costs.
"Based on the evidence available, we conclude that the STS Regulations are still valid and still required," stated the report.
"Despite a significant drop in STS transfers taking place in the UK territorial sea off the coast of Southwold, there is still a demand for this facility and it avoids ships using less safe areas further out to sea, or having to come into harbours in order to carry out these operations."
The department notes that the STS Regulations have a sunset clause and, as such, will cease to have effect as of April 1, 2019.
