The Oil Spill Size of Tanker and Barge Accidents: Determinants and Policy Implications

This paper investigates determinants of the oil cargo spill size of tanker and tank barge vessel accidents, utilizing detailed data of individual vessel accidents in U.S. waters. The effectiveness of various Coast Guard enforcement methods are examined as well as the effects of various vessel-related factors, the price of oil, and the price of vessel repair. The results suggest that Coast Guard pollution detection activity is effective at the margin in reducing tank barge (but not in reducing tanker) accident spill size and that tanker accident spill size is less for U.S. than for foreign flag tankers.