The transportation of petroleum Products by sea and the environmental challenge

Abstract

Unstable by definition, the environment in which various actors are involved in a different logic -as well as chance-(which is unstable by definition), is not entirely predictable. The company has to know how to make an ally. It becomes stronger as it goes in harmony with its environment; taming by anticipating its movements, and knowing the opportunities to create a required value in a hyper competitive economy for its survival. In this context, where risk-taking generates value and can simultaneously weaken or even destroy a business, risk management becomes essential. The operation of the major industrialized economies is largely dependent on the availability of oil resources. Production and consumption sites of this raw material are often in total geographical disconnection. Oil shipping remains the least expensive mode of transportation. This activity is risky and complex. Risky, since accidents are a source of environmental and economical damages; considerably important enough to obscure the rare nature of such disasters. Complex, because there are many actors and intermediaries, often of different nationalities and are sometimes difficult to be identified Compared to other energies, the success of the petroleum energy is particularly related to the ease of transportation. Four main risks: the risk of maritime security: the risk of total or partial loss of ships, sailors and cargo, the pollution risk, the risk of supply disruption. We will examine the risk of oil pollution and its impact on environment. While transportation activities are of great economic value, especially the transportation of energy products by sea, they also carry many negative effects on the environment: emissions of greenhouse gas, air/ water pollution, damage to biodiversity, habitat destruction, etc... The current situation is unsustainable and new policies are needed.