Oil Spills and Maritime Accidents

Oil discharges from oil tanker and offshore oil platform accidents are the most prominent causes of acute oil pollution of the marine environment. These accidents can result in severe disruptions to the tourism, fisheries, and mariculture sectors, particularly when coastal areas are impacted. IAI has extensive experience identifying and facilitating effective mitigation of spill impacts on adjacent fishing fleets, fishery support sectors, and human communities. Our projects include a detailed study of the immediate socio-economic impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, a time-series analysis of protracted litigation and settlement effects following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Selendang Ayu incident in the North Aleutian Basin, a preliminary study of the Deepwater Horizon accident and its effects on small businesses in the Gulf of Mexico, and assessments of numerous spill events in Europe and North America. IAI has also provided consultation and advisory services in spill events in Europe and North America: 1993 Braer Oil Spill (Shetlands Island Council, Scotland); 1992 Aegean Sea Oil Spill: La Coruña, Spain (Spanish Environmental Agency); La Haven Oil Spill (Government of Italy), and American Trader Oil Spill (City of Newport Beach, California).