TALLINN/REYKJAVIK - Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip emphasized the need to pay more attention to maritime safety at the Council of the Baltic Sea States meeting.
"Even though the natural environment of the countries of the Baltic Sea region has improved significantly over the past 10-15 years, the rapid rise in oil tanker traffic is a reason for concern," he said, adding that single-hull tankers, which pose serious danger to the environment, must be banned by all countries of the region.
Recalling two recent oil spills off the Estonian coast, the prime minister said the impact from these incidents couldn't be compared with what would happen if an accident occurred with a major tanker.
