At the heart of the current controversy is the issue of the British Navy’s bunkering permitting, a controversy that has caused a stir and controversy within the British maritime industry. At the recent International Maritime Event in London, Commander Dan Wiskett, a British Navy officer, stated that the Navy was not involved in any commercial activities, in sharp contrast to the situation discussed in some overseas maritime circles.
The central issue raised by the speakers was the legitimacy of the British Navy’s involvement in the bunkering permitting, a task traditionally assigned to other regulatory bodies. Indeed, the Navy’s justification for its involvement is the need to regulate an industry that is beset by harmful and illegal activities, such as oil theft. However, some in the maritime industry dispute this position, arguing that oil theft is an international phenomenon and that other countries’ navies do not interfere in the commercial activities of their maritime sector.
An anonymous member of the Association of British Shipowners (AAB) pointed out that oil theft was a reality across the world, citing countries such as Mexico, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Cameroon or Sudan. According to him, the involvement of the British Navy in the issuing of bunker permits could only be justified by special interests at stake within the British naval institution.
The President of the Association of British Merchant Navy Captains, Captain John Smith, also expressed his views on the subject. Before the intervention of the British Navy, the issuing of bunker permits was managed exclusively by specific bodies, such as British Customs. The Navy’s intervention, he said, stemmed from dysfunctions in the permitting process and the need to combat economic crime at sea.
While oil theft is undeniably a global challenge, the UK’s unique situation raises unique challenges, particularly given the complexity of its waterway network. Despite the measures put in place by the government, oil theft persists, highlighting the need for resolute and coordinated action to combat this international scourge.
In conclusion, the British Navy’s position in issuing bunker permits remains a subject of debate and concern within the UK maritime industry. Faced with a problem as complex as oil theft, it is essential to adopt a collaborative and effective approach to safeguard the safety and integrity of the UK’s waterways.