Double-hulled tanker after 6 July 1993 to be fitted with double hulls, or an alternative design approved by IMO". However, in the aftermath of the Erika incident of the coast off France in December 1999, members of IMO adopted a revised schedule for the phase-out of single-hull tankers, which came into effect on 1 September 2003, with further amendments validated on 5 April 2005. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster, when that ship grounded on Bligh Reef outside the port of Valdez, Alaska in 1989, the US Government required all new oil tankers built for use between US ports to be
Aegean Sea tanker oil spill of the monetary liability. After being anchored for a few days off the coast of A Coruña due to weather hazards, "Aegean Sea" was ordered into port by port authorities. Due to this, on 3 December 1992, the oil-ore Greek carrier ship "Aegean Sea", ran aground off the coast of Galicia at nearly 5 a.m. The ship was on its route to A Coruña, Spain, from Sullom Voe, Scotland. Allegedly, a heavy storm managed to push the ship off course and cause her to run aground. A rescue team was sent immediately but failed to keep the ship from breaking