Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill

About

The Amoco Cadiz oil spill occurred on March 16, 1978, when the tanker ran aground off the coast of Brittany, France. The vessel, owned by Amoco Transport Co., was transporting 223,000 tons of crude oil from the Persian Gulf to Rotterdam. A steering failure led to the grounding, resulting in one of the largest oil spills in history. The ship broke apart, releasing its entire cargo into the sea, impacting 360 km of shoreline from Brest to Saint Brieuc. The spill had devastating environmental and economic impacts, affecting marine life and local industries like fishing and tourism. The French government launched a large-scale cleanup operation, but natural conditions played a significant role in dispersing the oil. The incident highlighted the need for improved maritime safety and environmental protection measures. It led to significant changes in French oil response plans and international regulations, emphasizing the importance of preventing such disasters in the future.