As part of its commitment to training and education, ITOPF provides practical advice and information on a range of topics related to ship-source pollution.
Its Country and Regional Profiles provide an overview of the state of preparedness and spill response capability in individual maritime states and regions.
ITOPF has also produced a series of 12 Technical Information Papers, each covering a specific topic in a concise manner (6-8 pages) and illustrated by colour photographs and diagrams. In addition, staff regularly present papers at conferences and training courses. A selection of these are available for downloading.
Since 1974 ITOPF has maintained a database of oil spills from tankers, combined carriers and barges. This is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and allows long term trends to be analysed. Summaries and short bibliographies are provided for a selection of major incidents.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) has been used to map the incidence of historical spills. Datasets showing oil movements and the status of international conventions can also be integrated into the display.
To support all of its activities, ITOPF maintains an extensive library of publications on marine spills, clean-up techniques, effects and other related issues. It is a primary source of information for our technical staff and is open to students and other outside visitors for reference purposes.
ITOPF is keen to raise awareness of its services and activities amongst its Members, Associates and their ship management companies and we would invite them to provide contact details of their designated person or person specifically responsible for spill response. These will be added to our mailing list and future issues of the ITOPF Handbook and other technical publications automatically sent out to them.