The chemical challenge

摘要

According to Drewry statistics, the world chemical fleet grew by some 1.2% in 2002, and has shown net growth every year since 1994. This year an estimated 109 ships representing 1.9Mdwt will be delivered. The potential threat posed by the resurgent chemical trade and the consequence of any cargo tank being breached sends shivers down the collective maritime industry spine, but as MER discovered, the general belief within the industry is that the regulatory framework covering this sector is structurally sound. But is it? 'The chemical tanker market, despite its relative youth compared to other tanker sectors, is at present relatively buoyant,' claims Margaret Doyle, Chemicals Manager at Intertanko. 'But it is not a business for the inexperienced to dip into,' she warns.