Please click for more information on the following news articles:
- INTERTANKO/EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT JOINT SEMINAR, Brussels, 4 December 2001 (11 December 2001)
- ITOPF Contributes to Interactive Mapping Service (27 November 2001)
- GAOCMAO Oil Spill Response and Contingency Planning Training Course, Dubai, 12-14 November (26 November 2001)
- PEMEX Training Course, Mexico (15 November 2001)
- Collision, M.V. FORMOSA ONE & M.V. PETROLIMEX 1, Vietnam, 7th September 2001 (14 November 2001)
- ITOPF AGM, Board Meeting and Seminar (8 November 2001)
- AMORGOS, Oil Pollution Incident, Lungpan, Taiwan, 14th January 2001 - Update 10th October 2001 (25 October 2001)
- NEW AMITY, Oil Pollution Incident, Houston Ship Canal, USA, 22 September 2001 (17 October 2001)
- Memorandum of Understanding between the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Damage Assessment and Restoration Programme (2 August 2001)
- JOINT ITOPF/OCIMF Seminar, Athens, 25th October 2001 (19 July 2001)
- PLEASE HELP US TO ASSIST YOU IN THE EVENT OF A SPILL (13 July 2001)
- NEW TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER (11 May 2001)
- BALTIC CARRIER, Oil Pollution, Falster, Denmark, 29th March 2001 - An Update (12 April 2001)
- BALTIC CARRIER, Oil Pollution, Falster, Denmark, 29th March 2001 (3 April 2001)
INTERTANKO/EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT JOINT SEMINAR, Brussels, 4 December 2001
INTERTANKO and the European Parliament (EP) organised a short seminar entitled SAFE TANKER SHIPPING: THE WAY AHEAD which was held in the Parliament Buildings on 4 December 2001. Key Members of the EP Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism, and officials of the European Commission attended along with representatives of INTERTANKO, The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and The European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA). ITOPF was represented by Dr Tosh Moller and Dr Michael O'Brien.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for an exchange of views on legislative and regulatory issues adopted after the ERIKA incident and for the industry to inform the EU officials about the initiatives taken by the industry to address safety and quality concerns in general. Particular attention was given to the so-called ERIKA-2 package of proposals from the European Commission, including the current status of the International Compensation Conventions.
The European Parliament's spokesman on the Port State Control directive, Mr. Mark Watts, and INTERTANKO's Chairman, Mr. Lars Carlsson, co-chaired the discussion. Speakers included MEPs Mr Mark Watts (United Kingdom), Dr Georg Jarzembowski (Germany), Mr Theodorus J.J. Bouwman (Netherlands), Mr Alain Esclopé (France), Mr Dirk Sterckx (Belgium) and Mr Konstantinos Hadzidakis (Greece), as well as Dr Peter Swift, INTERTANKO and Dr Tosh Moller of ITOPF.
Click here to view a copy of Dr Moller's PowerPoint presentation (615KB).
Click here to view photographs from the seminar (37KB).
11 December 2001
ITOPF Contributes to Interactive Mapping Service
ITOPF has contributed data to the IMapS project, an Internet based interactive mapping service developed by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre in partnership with IPIECA (the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association). IMapS can be used to generate regional maps showing environmental sensitivities such as breeding sites and protected areas. ITOPF has provided data on major oil spills from tankers for the last ten years, which can be viewed as a layer of these maps. The IMapS site can be accessed from www.unep-wcmc.org.
27 November 2001
GAOCMAO Oil Spill Response and Contingency Planning Training Course, Dubai, 12-14 November
ITOPF organised a training course in conjunction with OSRL Ltd, on behalf of GAOCMAO (the Gulf Area Oil Companies Mutual Aid Organisation). The course was held in Dubai and included a range of lectures, exercises and equipment demonstrations. It was attended by 36 senior managers and government officials from the Gulf region.
26 November 2001
PEMEX Training Course, Mexico
ITOPF took an active role in a five day training course on oil spill contingency planning, monitoring and assessment of oil spills at sea, organised by the Mexican national oil company (PEMEX) in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Supporting organisations included the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Center for the Wider Caribbean Region (REMPEITC-Carib), the French Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution (CEDRE), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) and ITOPF. About 40 delegates attended, predominantly from the merchant marine, navy and industry. While a main focus of the seminar was regional and international cooperation, practical aspects of oil spill monitoring, assessment and response were also addressed which proved a very successful combination. Several additional courses throughout Mexico are planned for the coming year. 15 November 2001
Collision, M.V. FORMOSA ONE & M.V. PETROLIMEX 1, Vietnam, 7th September 2001
In the early hours of the morning on 7th September, a collision between the M.V. 'FORMOSA ONE' and M.V. 'PETROLIMEX 1' near Vung Tau, Vietnam, resulted in the loss of about 615 tonnes of gas oil cargo from the M.V. 'PETROLIMEX 1'. The oil initially moved north-east into the Vung Ganh Rai bay allegedly affecting a number of fisheries located inside the bay and the many estuaries. By first light, the oil had accumulated against the western shore of Vung Tau where local villagers attempted to collect the oil using plastic bags.
Apart from a few beaches where the oil had penetrated the coarse sand and a small area of mud flat inside the bay, all traces of the oil had disappeared within a week of the collision. Given the non-persistent nature of the oil, no major clean-up effort was required. The People's Committee of the Province of Ba-Ria, Vung Tau intends to claim for alleged damages to tourism, fisheries, agriculture and the environment.
Click here to view a map of the scene.
Click here to view a selection of photographs from the incident.
14 November 2001
ITOPF AGM, Board Meeting and Seminar
ITOPF held its AGM and Board Meeting in Athens, Greece on 24 October. These were the last meetings presided over by Mr Helge Schmidt, who has now been succeeded as Chairman of ITOPF by Dr Helmut Sohmen.
Amongst other matters, the Board approved the appointment of a number of new Directors, in most cases to replace Directors who had recently retired. The new Directors are Mr Mike Carthew of Chevron Shipping Company; Mr José Hidalgo of PDV Marina; Mr Akitoshi Murahashi of the Japan P&I Club; Mr Søren Skou of A P Møller; Mr Colin Williams of the Steamship Mutual P&I Club; and Mr Paul Wogan of Teekay Shipping (UK) Ltd.
The Board agreed to increase the rates of Member and Associate dues to 0.75 and 0.20 of a UK penny per gross ton, respectively. The increases, which will take effect from 20 February 2002, return the dues to their 2000/2001 levels.
The Board also agreed to contribute US$10,000 towards the cost of IMO's Third International R&D Forum to be held in Brest, France from 11-13 March 2002. ITOPF staff will actively participate in the Forum - which will focus on the problems of combating spills of high-density oils - through chairing sessions and presenting three papers.
Following the Board meeting, ITOPF together with INTERTANKO and Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises Ltd jointly sponsored a one-day International Seminar on tanker safety, pollution prevention, spill response and compensation. The event attracted some 200 delegates representing a wide range of Greek and international shipping-related industries.
8 November 2001
AMORGOS, Oil Pollution Incident, Lungpan, Taiwan, 14th January 2001 - Update 10th October 2001
Following the completion of shoreline clean-up in May, ITOPF has been advising on a project to reinstate some small areas of coastal vegetation that were damaged during the clean-up operation. The project, which is being undertaken in close co-operation with the Taiwanese Government Forestry Bureau, involves the planting and tending of typical tree species (obtained from local nurseries) along access tracks and in areas that were used for temporary staging of equipment and materials, behind the affected shoreline. The Forestry Bureau is currently making the necessary preparations and work is likely to commence early next year.
Click here to view previous situation reports.
25 October 2001
NEW AMITY, Oil Pollution Incident, Houston Ship Canal, USA, 22 September 2001
On the 22 September the oil tanker NEW AMITY (DWT 106,120) and a barge were in collision in the Houston Ship Canal. The tanker received a puncture to a starboard fuel tank and began to spill. Internal transfer operations ensued whilst the tanker was quickly escorted to the nearby container terminal in Barbers Cut, where spillage continued for a short time. An estimated 860 barrels (approximately 120 tonnes) of HFO 380 bunker fuel was spilled in total.
The spill resulted in the Houston Ship Canal and Barbers Cut being closed for a short time. Oil migrated south from the initial spill site, oiling two uninhabited spoil islands in the centre of the Canal and intermittently contaminating shores on the west side of the Canal up to 10 km to the south. The Houston Yacht Club also lay within this path. No significant oil remained afloat in the Houston Ship Canal within two days.
Spartina grasses form fringing marshes around much of the islands previously mentioned, as well as within the turning basin of Barbers Cut and several other places along the Channel. In total, a few kilometres were stained with oil over a bandwidth of some 20 cm. Shorelines of shell substrate on the islands and near to the entrance of Barbers Cut were also oiled to varying degrees. A sand beach close to Morgan's Point, about 1 km south of Barbers Cut and fronting residential properties, was moderately oiled whilst lengths of riprap (coastal defences in the form of broken concrete) within Barbers Cut, near Morgans Point and further to the south, were also moderately to lightly affected. The main concentration of oil pollution was in Barbers Cut, where significant quantities of floating oil gathered under the container terminal quay.
Over 30,000 ft of boom (approx. 9,000m) was deployed, largely in shoreline protection configurations within Houston Ship Canal and Barbers Cut. This included protecting the yacht club and various bayous or cuts. Other than boom deployment, the primary response was to control and remove floating oil beneath the quay. Access to this oil was difficult due to the number and density of the quay's supporting pillars and also because of the continuous berthing movements of commercial traffic; the port having been quickly re-opened. During this period, skimming operations were undertaken from the quay, including using air-lift and vacuum trucks to remove much oil. However, a ship free day on 29 September was subsequently used for an all-out "flushing assault" on the slick. The propeller washes of 4 tugs were used to force oil from beneath the quay out into the Cut enabling open water skimming. A number of vessel mounted skimmers were used and most of the free floating oil was successfully recovered within the day.
Shoreline clean-up activities undertaken included the manual removal of oiled shells from the shoreline. Rakes, shovels and bags were employed to avoid removing excessive and unnecessary quantities of such beach material. The sand beach near Morgan's Point was also manually cleaned, whilst hot water, high pressure washing and cold water flushing continues to be used to clean riprap in various locations. The Spartina marsh grasses have been left to recover naturally as all parties involved decided that other treatment would not accelerate natural processes or provide a benefit.
Clean up was orchestrated through an incident command system, with the tanker owner allocating a spill manager to undertake the clean up by working alongside federal and state authorities and trustees.
In addition to clean up, a number of third party claims from yachts and commercial craft have been received and are being dealt with.
Richard Johnson and Michael O'Brien attended this incident on behalf of ITOPF.
Click here to view a selection of photographs from the incident
17 October 2001
Memorandum of Understanding between the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Damage Assessment and Restoration Programme
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in February 2001, is intended to promote a closer working relationship between NOAA and the P&I Clubs with the express purpose of expediting restoration measures required under the provisions of the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA'90). NOAA (http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/) promulgated regulations in 1996 implementing the requirements of OPA '90.
NOAA is a Federal Trustee, responsible for managing a number of natural resources including anadromous fish such as salmon, sediment and water quality, commercial and recreational fisheries, marine mammals, marshes, mangroves, sea grass beds, coral reefs, and other coastal habitats. Consequently, NOAA is often nominated as the Federal Lead Agency Trustee in the damage assessment and restoration process that follows an oil pollution incident in the USA. NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration also usually provides one of the regional Scientific Support Coordinators (SSC) to give technical advice on all aspects of spill response to the Federal On-Scene Commander (FOSC).
The International Group of P&I Clubs provide insurance cover for some 90% of the world shipping fleet. This insurance is provided by the individual Clubs (ship-owner's third party liability insurers) and a pooling arrangement between members of the International Group for major claims. Both NOAA and the International Group are interested in extending the MoU to other Trustee agencies, both Federal and State, with responsibilities for managing other natural resources in the marine and coastal environments.
Although not a party to the MoU, ITOPF has a pivotal role in providing technical information and analysis to all parties involved in the restoration process and may be asked to join technical working groups should this be appropriate. ITOPF is expected to follow developments closely and to be fully aware of technical issues raised in the damage assessment or proposed restoration measures. It is to be anticipated that ITOPF participation will facilitate a co-operative approach to the process and minimise delays in implementing restoration projects.
View copy of MoU (135KB).
2 August 2001
JOINT ITOPF/OCIMF Seminar, Athens, 25th October 2001
The Directors of The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) and Members of the Executive Committee of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) will be meeting in Athens during the week commencing 22nd October 2001 (see attached note on ITOPF and OCIMF). This will bring together some of the most senior marine people in the world's oil and shipping insurance industries. We are therefore taking the opportunity to organise a one-day Seminar on Thursday, 25th October at the Athens Ledra Marriott Hotel, 115 Syngrou Street, in association with Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises Ltd. The Seminar will address various topical issues related to tanker safety, pollution prevention, spill response and compensation, with speakers drawn from a range of international and local organisations and companies.
19 July 2001
PLEASE HELP US TO ASSIST YOU IN THE EVENT OF A SPILL
ITOPF is funded by the world's shipowners through their P&I insurers to provide objective technical advice on effective response to oil spills and the mitigation of damage. The organisation's highly experienced staff also assess the claims for compensation resulting from spills, undertake contingency planning studies and produce a wide range of technical publications.
ITOPF's tanker-owner Members and shipowner Associates have first call on the organisation's technical services but this is not always fully appreciated by those within the ship-owning companies who would be in the frontline at the time of a spill. ITOPF is therefore keen to raise awareness of its services within the technical departments of its Members and Associates and their ship management companies.
One key group of individuals with whom ITOPF would like to establish a closer relationship is the DESIGNATED PERSON, who under the ISM code, are responsible for monitoring safety and pollution prevention procedures on each vessel within a company. As a first step in this process we would invite all Members and Associates to provide contact details of their DESIGNATED PERSON(S) using the downloadable form below. When ITOPF receives the contact details it will despatch a copy of its latest annual Handbook to the identified person(s) and add their name to a mailing list so that they automatically receive future issues of the Handbook and other technical publications.
Your help in this matter would be much appreciated.
Download the Designated Person Survey (PDF 39 KB or WORD 50 KB)
13 July 2001
NEW TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER
ITOPF has just published the first of a new series of Technical Information Papers (TIPs), which aim to provide clear and concise advice on various aspects of oil spill clean-up and effects. The original series of TIPs, produced in the early 1980s, has proved extremely successful for many years, selling some 1500 sets (18,000 copies) annually. In order to reflect technological advances and ITOPF's more recent collective experience on a wide range of oil pollution topics, we have embarked on a programme of updating the Papers and expanding the series. The first of the new series deals with the aerial observation of oil. Amongst other things, it describes the strategy and preparations for aerial reconnaissance, looks at the appearance and quantification of floating oil and discusses remote sensing, which is being used increasingly to monitor, detect and identify sources of illegal marine discharges. The Paper is illustrated by colour photographs, some of which show phenomena that can sometimes be mistaken for oil from the air. Further Technical Information Papers will follow later in the year.
11 May 2001
BALTIC CARRIER, Oil Pollution, Falster, Denmark, 29th March 2001 - An Update
Shoreline cleanup and offshore recovery has progressed well. However, insufficient temporary waste storage capacity has at times slowed the operation. In an effort to overcome this problem wastes are being stockpiled in Stege at an old sugar processing factory. From here wastes will be directed to waste disposal facilities in Denmark.
Access difficulties in some of the more remote areas has been overcome by the Army Corps of Engineers laying a metal roadway thereby providing access to two large pools of oil at Bogø and work began in these areas on 4th April. About 30 workers manoeuvred booms containing oil towards four excavators which removed the oil into one-tonne containers.
Local community groups have assisted in cleaning the less oiled beaches. Beach cleaning with volunteers was organised by both Møn and Bogø municipalities. The local community was supportive and the result was an efficient means of cleaning the popular beach areas. Local representatives volunteered their time on 7th and 8th April using hand held tools and buckets to collect oil pancakes along several kilometres of amenity coastline.
The emergency response phase of the cleanup and offshore recovery efforts has been completed. Responsibility for the shoreline cleanup was transferred from Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) to the relevant municipalities and the command centre in Stubbekøbing closed on the 9th of April. Fine cleaning of the affected shorelines now rests with the local authorities, and work will begin in earnest after the Easter holiday.
To date approximately 1,100 oiled and killed birds have been recorded. But the total number of birds affected may potentially be higher.
Click here to view a map of the scene.
Click here to view a selection of photographs from the scene.
12 April 2001
BALTIC CARRIER, Oil Pollution, Falster, Denmark, 29th March 2001
On 29th March the BALTIC CARRIER, a double-hulled chemical tanker, collided with the TERN, a bulk carrier, off the Danish coast, spilling approximately 2700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. The oil drifted north-westwards from the collision point and started coming ashore during the afternoon and evening of 29th March. The heaviest concentrations were along the south shores of Farø and Bogø in the sound between the islands of Falster, Sjælland and Møn. The oil lay in rafts of highly viscous oil, up to 5cm thick and still afloat at the water's edge. ITOPF observed several hundred tonnes of oil ashore at Farø and Bogø. The Danish Coast Guard has reported several larger concentrations of oil drifting off Møn and Falster, as well as in Storstrøm Sound between Falster and Sjælland. The total quantity of oil floating in two main patches west of the motorway bridge across Storstrøm was reported as 400 tonnes.
The offshore clean up response is being coordinated by the Danish Coast Guard. 12 response vessels are currently involved in the operation. Because of the high viscosity of the oil, which has the consistency of chewing gum, the main approach has been to use mechanical grabs rather than conventional skimmers. As at 1st April, 930 m³ of oil are reported to have been recovered at sea. Protective booms have been placed around the entrances of all small harbours in the areas affected or threatened by oil.
Shoreline response is being coordinated jointly by the Danish police and the Emergency Response Corps from a Command Post in Stubbekøbing. Apart from manual collection, the main techniques involve the use of mechanical grabs and suction devices. Heavy-duty suction trucks have proved particularly effective where road access is suitable. So far 380 tonnes have been recovered from the shore.
The main impact of the spill has been on birds which become trapped in the oil. The European Commission reports that 1000 seabirds have so far been found dead or covered by oil. According to the Danish Ornithological Association the main concentrations of aquatic birds are to be found at Ulvsund between Møn and Sjælland. Equally sensitive are the sheltered waters of the so-called South Sea Islands (Sydhavsøerne) situated west of Falster.
Dr Tosh Moller of ITOPF is currently on-site.
3 April 2001