ABSTRACT
Transport and handling of hazardous chemicals and chemical products has considerably increased over the last 20 years, thus increasing the risk of major pollution accidents. Worldwide, about 2000 chemicals are transported by sea either in bulk or packaged form. Only few hundred chemicals are transported in bulk but these make up most of the volume of the chemical sea-borne trade (Purnell 2009). Chemical releases are thought to be potentially more hazardous than oil. As to marine spills, chemicals may have both acute and long-term environmental effects, and may not be as easily recoverable as oil spills. In addition, public safety risks are more severe in chemical releases (EMSA 2007).
