And another thing - flags of convenience

Crude oil being shipped around the world, when spilled, is a threat to the environment unlike any other commodity, save perhaps for radioactive materials. Therefore, if the oil industry expects to be taken seriously in its role of protecting the environment, it must assume responsibility for its product from wellhead to consumer. Whilst there are many operators paying considerable attention to transportation issues - the largest of them using their own double-hulled tanker fleets - there still too many using ships unsuitable for the purpose, either because of age or the fact that they are single hulled vessels. These derelicts are kept in business by owners who have registered them in country's where inspections are a local joke, registration requires only a fraction of the fee charged by more conscientious nations, and taxes are low. Ships flying flags of convenience have no ties to any country, including the ones in which they are registered. The author says that it is up to the oil industry to clean up their act, for instance they could refuse to use ships that sail under a flag of convenience or single hulled vessels to move their product. The major and large independent companies learned some time ago that taking care of the environment is very much in their interest, and further that only they can do it effectively