Legal Protection of the Marine Environment During the Transportation of Oil Products: International Legal Aspects

Abstract

The article discusses the risks that arise for the environment during the production and transportation of hydrocarbons. Irreparable damage to the environment is caused as a result of accidents on ships and oil platforms, the consequences of which have been felt for many decades, while the greatest harm is caused by accidents occurring in high latitudes. These include: pollution of the water area following an emergency oil spill, the likelihood of a fire or explosion both on board during transportation and in the port at terminals. Emergency situations may arise as a result of exposure to hard weather conditions, technical malfunctions of the vessel, collision with other vessels, pirate attacks, etc. The article analyzes the provisions of international acts of the greatest interest in the field of protection of the marine environment from hydrocarbon pollution, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), the International Convention for the Safety of Human Life at Sea (SOLAS 74/88), "International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)". Proposals have been formulated to improve international and national regulation regarding the legal protection of the marine environment from oil pollution. Thus, it seems expedient to minimize the risks of emergency situations to think about combining the relevant provisions of all conventions into a single document, while eliminating gaps in both international regulation and national legislation in the field of marine transportation of hydrocarbons, to pay increased attention to environmental safety issues.