Determinants of vessel-accident bunker spills

The study investigates determinants of vessel-accident bunker fuel spillage. A vessel-accident bunker spillage equation is estimated using Tobit regression and data of individual non-oil-cargo vessel accidents that were investigated by the US Coast Guard during 2001–2008. The results indicate that the bunker spillage of a freight ship and an offshore supply vessel accident will be greater than that of a passenger ship accident. Also, the bunker spillage of a non-oil-cargo vessel accident will be greater if the vessel accident is an abandonment and occurs at night, but less if the accident involves a vessel that has diesel propulsion and even less if the vessel has both diesel propulsion and a steel hull.

► Bunker spills at sea have increased in frequency.
► Bunker spillages involving non-oil-cargo vessel accidents are the most serious.
► Steel hulls and diesel engines offer protection from bunker spills.