Spain

Consequences of new inspection regulation - Spain

There are new regulations which will come into legal effect on 14 August 2004 to prevent oil spill including bunker spills in Spanish ports.

All ports, harbours, pilots are obliged to report any concerns about the vessel's condition and crew's ability which may result in an oil spill.

Currently a strict inspection is already in place and many vessels have been detained and fines of a minimum Euro 3,050.

The new laws imposes a legal obligation on the port and harbour authorities to report any doubts about the vessel, so this will likely lead to a greater number of vessels being inspected, detained and fined.