A deal between the SNP and Greens to block ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth was presented as the first example of the new Holyrood politics yesterday.

The Greens have come up with what they believe is a statutory instrument which could be enacted within days by incoming ministers and Alex Salmond, as First Minister-elect, has promised to do his best to enact this.

At the moment Forth Ports Authority has the final say on proposals from SPT Marine Services, under which about 7.8 million tonnes of Russian crude oil a year pumped between tankers anchored four miles off the coast.

However, the Greens have drafted regulations which would require a certificate of compliance to be issued by ministers before the project could go ahead.

Mr Salmond said if, as expected, the SNP forms the next government they would look at that "very closely, sympathetically, with a view to legislation".

He said: "The central issue here is whether you can have ship-to-ship transfer, something of potentially enormous environmental importance, in the Forth Estuary with less democratic accountability than you would have if you wanted to build a patio on your house extension.

"I think that's an unsatisfactory situation, I think it's an outrage. No-one seriously thinks the decision as to whether you should have ship- to-ship transfers in a major estuary is a matter which properly is in the arbitrary decision making of a private company. That would be unusual internationally, quite extraordinary."

He hailed the proposals as a good example of the new type of administration Scotland could have, where in the absence of a majority coalition, parties have to work together and achieve a consensus.

Mr Salmond added that an SNP government would also consider ideas from other parties. "I'm not turning down ideas from any quarter. We will take forward ideas we think are important," he said.

Green leader Robin Harper insisted it should be ministers who have the final say over ship-to-ship transfers, adding: "It really is bizarre that we don't have power over the Forth and Forth Ports Authority can be judge, jury and beneficiary of any decision that they take in their favour." He said he understood such regulations could be brought in within days of a new administration being formed.

Mr Harper added: "This is just how the new politics should work - where parties can agree on action it is our duty to the electorate to work co-operatively to get those things done."

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said any detailed consideration of the proposed new draft legislation would have to await today's parliamentary vote appointing new ministers.

Mr Salmond said he was confident that the example of the Green's coming forward with a concrete idea for better government could be mirrored by other parties in the months to come.

"This is an example of the kind of initiative that can be taken by any party and can be acted on by the executive, it's an example of a different style of government."