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Oil Pollution Statistics

National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances
Annual Report 1997/98

The Oil Spill Database

Accurate statistical data required for oil spill response strategic planning provides a valuable resource to assist responding to an increasing number of queries from the media, interest groups and the general public. It also provides valuable input to Government projects such as the State of the Marine Environment Report and a measure of the effectiveness of the pollution prevention measures being progressively implemented.

AMSA uses the following definitions in maintaining the database:

‘Oil discharges’ refers to any discharges or suspected operational discharges of oil from (a) vessel(s) in excess of the permitted discharge rate under MARPOL (generally 15 parts per million oil in water).

‘Oil spills’ refers to accidental spills resulting from incidents such as groundings or collisions as well as spills during bunkering resulting from overflow of tanks, burst hoses, etc.

AMSA's OILSPILL database currently contains over 4300 records. Information is entered from the following sources:

oil discharge reports received through AMSA's Search and Rescue Centre (AusSAR), which includes reports from aircraft (Coastwatch, RAAF and civil) as well as from vessels at sea;

records of National Plan expenditure in responding to oil spills;

monthly incident reports submitted by State/NT authorities;

other sources (eg Department of Primary Industries and Energy, industry).

At least 25 per cent of the reports received by AMSA are ultimately not entered onto the database. Reasons for not entering a reported pollution sighting include where the sighting is or is strongly suspected to be one of the following:

land sourced, including tank farms, road tanker accidents, drains or road runoff after heavy rain (unless National Plan response costs are incurred); or
coral spawn or other marine algae or similar occurrence, taking into account the location of the report and the time of the year; or
discoloured water with no sheen; or
washings of coal dust from bulk carriers which have departed from a coal port; or
discharge from a sewage outfall.

Reports of maritime incidents where there is no reported pollution are not entered unless there are preventative measures taken by National Plan authority which incur costs.

While AMSA makes every effort to ensure the OILSPILL database is as complete as possible, the reliability and completeness of the data cannot be guaranteed, as only those incidents reported to AMSA can be included.

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Oil Pollution Statistics 1993/94 to 1997/98

Between 1993/94 to 1997/98 inclusive there were 1556 oil discharge sightings and oil spills reported in the five year period. The National Plan was involved in 111 of these incidents. Figure 1 shows the breakdown for each year.

Figure 1 Oil Pollution Statistics

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Oil Pollution Sources

Figure 2 indicates the types of vessels from which discharges were reported during the five year period. Where a vessel type is not identified, this generally means that a large vessel has been seen from the air and cannot be classified.

Figure 2 Oil Pollution Sources

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Incidents in Australian Waters 1997/98

Collision between Barrington and Austral Salvor

A collision between the tug Austral Salvor and the tanker Barrington occurred on 27 April 1998 near the Ampol Products wharf in the lower reaches of the Brisbane River. The Barrington suffered damage to a portside fuel tank resulting in loss of approximately 15 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.

Response personnel and equipment from Queensland Transport, the Port of Brisbane Corporation, Brisbane City Council, the Department of Environment and the oil companies were activated in the recovery of the oil and clean up of the foreshore and sensitive areas.

By 30 April there were no significant patches of oil or sheen remaining in Moreton Bay or the Brisbane River.

Pine Trust Grounding, Shark Bay

The Panamanian registered vessel Pine Trust grounded in Shark Bay on 13 October 1997. The vessel was traversing the Denham Channel departing Useless Loop with a cargo of salt.

On notification of the grounding, the Western Australian Marine Oil Pollution Emergency Management Plan was activated in case a pollution incident ensued. Boom from Useless Loop was placed on board the Pine Trust and equipment in Fremantle was placed on standby. No oil was spilled and the vessel was refloated on 17 October 1997.

Nol Amber Grounding, Torres Strait

On 1 November 1997, the Singapore registered container vessel, Nol Amber grounded on Larpent Bank in the western approaches to Torres Strait. The vessel was enroute from Singapore to Brisbane and had 2005 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 181 tonnes of diesel oil bunkers on board.

In accordance with the National Plan Administrative Arrangements, Queensland Transport was the lead agency responsible for responding to the incident. AMSA supported the response.

The vessel was successfully refloated on 3 November without any loss of oil. Preliminary inspections were carried out while it was anchored near Goods Island. The vessel then proceeded through the Prince of Wales channel and continued its voyage to Brisbane.

Overseas Response - Singapore Oil Spill

In October 1997 Australia provided assistance to East Asia Response Limited (EARL) after the collision between the tankers Evoikos and Orapin Global off Singapore. The collision resulted in the loss of 25,000 tonnes of oil from the Evoikos. The Orapin Global was not carrying cargo at the time of the collision. Neither vessel sank, and there were no injuries to crew members.

The Australian team comprised representatives of both government and industry agencies, and were involved in the clean up for ten days. The team operated oil recovery equipment and carried out surface surveillance of Singapore waters. The Chairman of EARL said the work of the Australians had been "superb" and that all six members had become an integral part of the overall response group.

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last updated:
18 June 2001