"Eleven potential British Columbian and Washington State oil ports with accompanying route alternatives were compared on a relative ranking basis in terms of possible environmental risk from marine oil spills. Initially, a rating system of navigational risk, biological, economic and social factors was developed to derive a BIOLOGICAL RISK INDEX, and ECONOMIC RISK INDEX and a SOCIAL RISK INDEX. These indices were compared port/route to port/route by several ranking methods to determine the relatively "least risky" or "most risky" port/route alternatives. Consideration was given also to preventive, cleanup and compensatory measures relevant to oil spills. (Au)"--ASTIS [online] bibliography.