WWF Concern at Growing UK Shipping Accidents

WWF UK charity officials are becoming increasingly concerned at the number of shipping accidents that are constantly occurring around the British Isles. Certain areas around the coast of the country have become the fourth largest for number of accidents in the world, with over 130 reported in the last 10 years.

More needs to be done to stop these accidents from happening, as if they continue they could well play havoc with the British coastlines eco system. With more ships out at sea than ever before, plus the added increase in storms due to climate change, more planning needs to be made within the shipping industry to try and put a stop to these accidents.

WWF Marine Manager, Dr Simon Walmsley, said –

Shipping lanes around the UK are already some of the worlds’ busiest and will get busier as the global fleet expands. The risk of accidents and environmental disaster is only going to increase so efforts must be made to lower the risk. Unfortunately in the past we’ve seen that it is only after major accident that safety and environment measures are reviewed. That needs to change if we want to maintain healthy seas. The Prestige oil spill caused not only environmental impacts but economic losses estimated at €8 billion. Even small scale accidents in very sensitive environments, like the Great Barrier Reef, can have profound environmental consequences.

It is mostly fishing ships that account for many of the vessels that are lost at sea, but it’s the cargo of the ships that causes the most damage to the environment. The shipping industry needs to promote greater responsibility with irresponsible owners exposed, and maybe fined or even completely shut down unless they increase their standards.

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