2015 means end of ships like Prestige

UNDER current global shipping rules laid down by the London-based International Maritime Organisation (IMO), single-hulled tankers must be phased out by 2015.

The IMO rules provide for some extensions to the 2015 deadline.

However, EU rules are far more strict. The EU has said no single-hulled tankers will be allowed to dock at EU ports from 2015, period.