What causes the most frequent incidents of pollution during tanker operations?

The most frequent incidents of pollution during tanker operations are primarily attributed to loading and discharging activities. During these operations, the handling of petroleum products poses a significant risk for spills and leaks due to human error, equipment failure, or improper procedures.

When tankers are either loading or discharging cargo, there are numerous opportunities for spillage to occur, such as overfills, ruptured hoses, or failure of valves. Moreover, it is during these critical times that the tanker is most vulnerable to accidents, whether due to weather conditions or operational mistakes, which can lead to significant environmental damage.

Loading and discharging operations are typically complex and require precise coordination and communication among the crew and shore personnel. Any lapse in this process can result in a spill, making it the area with the highest potential for pollution incidents.

In contrast, other options like groundings, collisions, and routine discharges may lead to environmental contamination but occur less frequently than incidents connected to the direct operation of loading and discharging procedures.