Maritime authority defends track record in wake of ‘Kristal’ criticism

By Miriam Dunn

The Malta Maritime Authority was once again back in the spotlight earlier in the week. There was criticism over the length of time the MMA took to deliver its report on the sinking of the ‘Kristal’ tanker and also the unwelcome news that Brazil is taking legal action over chemical pollution following an incident on the Maltese-registered ‘mv Bahamas’ four years ago.

According to Lloyds List, the time taken to produce the report on the ‘Kristal’ tragedy, in which 11 lives were lost, appeared to be somewhat excessive.

But Lino Vassallo, MMA executive director merchant shipping, yesterday defended the length of time the authority took to prepare the report.

"It is quite normal for any investigation into a maritime casualty, especially one as complex as that of the motor tanker Kristal, which involved not only the foundering of the ship but also loss of life, to take time before a report of the investigation can be issued," Mr Vassallo said. "The gathering of information from different sources, many a time located in several countries, as was the case of the Kristal, is a painstaking job and the analysis of the data collected, a great deal of which is of a technical nature, requires careful consideration."

Mr Vassallo also defended the MMA’s move to distribute a copy of the report to interested parties which, he said, did not, as suggested in some parts of the media, mean it was being withheld from the public.

"As the Flag Administration and in the spirit of the IMO Code for the Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents and the relative IMO Resolutions, the MMA is first making available a copy of the draft report to the substantially interested parties for their comments," he said. "This process will eventually be followed by the issue of the final report which will obviously have a much wider distribution."

Mr Vassallo also stressed that the thrust of the IMO Code and Resolutions is not to apportion blame, or determine civil or criminal liability, and its findings are not binding on any party. Rather the aims of the report are precautionary, seeking to avoid a repeat occurrence through a full understanding of the events.

Asked whether Malta has learned from its maritime disasters; the ‘Kristal’ and also the ‘Erika’, back in December 1999, Mr Vassallo was upbeat about the MMA’s track record.

"I believe that the maritime industry has always recognised the responsible action and attitude adopted and taken by the Maltese Flag Administration both before the (Erika) casualty took place and also afterwards," he said. "The very positive reaction of the maritime industry towards the Malta report of the investigation bears witness to this."

Mr Vassallo also stressed that the MMA has continued with the development and implementation of its maritime safety programme, highlighting some of the legislative developments. These, he said, included the lowering of age limits for the registration of Maltese ships, decreases in the number of detentions involving Maltese ships, the expansion of the ship inspection programme, the increase in the number of MMA technical personnel and the heavy investment in training and information technology.

"There is also the support Malta has given in international fora for initiatives to further improve international standards," he said, "such as the earlier phasing out of single hull tankers forming part of the implementation of a comprehensive maritime action plan drawn up by the Malta Maritime Authority."

Turning to the revelations that Brazil is taking legal action over the ‘mv Bahamas’, Mr Vassallo said the MMA has been co-operating with the Brazilian authorities on the case, but declined to say anything further, since the matter is ‘sub judice’.

He also conceded that there is always the risk of incidents occurring, however hard maritime organisations work to limit catastrophes.

"The MMA will continue to do its utmost to reduce as much as possible the risk of such incidents," he said. "We are conscious of the fact that one incident is always one incident too many. But the fact remains that with over 3000 Maltese registered vessels, half of which are trading ships, plying the seas all over the world, there is always the risk of a Maltese ship being involved in an incident."