The Council,
Having regard to Article 5(b) of the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14th December 1960;
Considering that difficulties are being encountered by international maritime transport and fishing in securing necessary bunker supplies;
Considering that disruption of normal bunkering operations would have disturbing effects for Member countries and world trade generally;
I. RECOMMENDS that Governments of Member countries observe the following guidelines regarding the supply of bunker requirements for international shipping and fishing:
(a) to give priority to bunker requirements, to the extent that these requirements correspond to traditional bunkering patterns of international shipping and fishing;
(b) to refrain, on a reciprocal basis, from discrimination on the basis of nationality of ships;
(c) to promote the most efficient means of reducing consumption of bunker fuels, such as lowering the speed of ships.
II. INVITES the Secretary-General to report to the Council, at an appropriate time, on the bunker supply situation and on the implementation of this Recommendation.
In adopting this Recommendation, the Council:
1. NOTED the Note by the Secretary-General of 26th December 1973 on the Supply of Bunker Fuels for Maritime Transport and Fishing [Doc. No. C(73)257] .
2. AGREED that the Recommendation should be derestricted;
3. INSTRUCTED the Oil Committee to follow the implementation of the Recommendation in liaison with the Maritime Transport and Fisheries Committees;
4. INVITED the Secretary-General to inform non-Member countries, through the appropriate channels, of the Recommendation in order to obtain the widest possible observance of these guidelines;
5. NOTED the statements and comments made by certain Delegates during the discussion.