Vessel salvors recovered 875,000 tons of pollutants in 2005

Vessel salvors recovered 875,000 tons of pollutants in 2005    The International Salvage Union (ISU) Tuesday reported that its members recovered 875,331 tons of pollutants in 2005, up 19 percent compared to 734,582 tons in 2004.
   According to statistics provided by 46 of the ISU’s 51 members, emergency assistance was provided worldwide for 247 vessels with cargoes and bunkers threatening pollution in 2005. This figure is down 7.5 percent from 266 stricken ships in the previous year.
   The pollutants recovered worldwide in 2005 by ISU members were:
   * Crude and diesel oil: 533,281 tons, up 18 percent from 452,304 tons in 2004.
   * Chemicals: 60,147 tons, up 73 percent from 34,752 tons.
   * Other pollutants (e.g. gasoline, slops, dirty ballast, etc.): 201,960 tons, up 33 percent from 152,235 tons.
   * Bunkers: 79,943 tons, down 16 percent from 95,291 tons.