New regulations which would have prevented ship-to-ship oil transfers taking place in the Firth of Forth have been put on hold. The rules were due to come into force in October after environmental concerns about potential oil spills. The coalition UK government has announced that the regulations are being put on hold while a new consultation is launched. The move comes after lobbying from the industry and south of England MPs. Two years ago, SPT Marine services proposed to transfer almost eight million tonnes of crude oil a year between ships in the Forth. The bid was withdrawn after the government said regulations against the practice would be brought in.

Source