Please click for more information on the following news articles:
- ITOPF AGM & Board Meeting, Hong Kong (4th November 2002)
- ITOPF/OCIMF/INTERTANKO Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation (19 November 2002)
- LIMBURG - Oil Spill, Yemen, 6th October 2002 (15 November 2002)
- JOLLY RUBINO, South Africa, 10th September 2002 (23 September 2002)
- NEW TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER (23 September 2002)
- Update on International Seminar, Hong Kong, 6th November (13 September 2002)
- Indian Ocean Regional Workshop on CLC/ IOPC Fund Claims Procedures, Mauritius, September 2002 (10 September 2002)
- ITOPF/OCIMF/INTERTANKO Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation, Hong Kong, 6th November, 2002 (1 August 2002)
- Further Evidence of the Welcome Reduction in Ship-Source Spills (25 July 2002)
- CCC Shell Training Course in Fort Lauderdale, USA - June 2002 (26 June 2002)
- IMO/IPIECA/UNEP Workshop in Mauritius, May 2002 (18 June 2002)
- Mediterranean Oil Industry Group (MOIG) Meeting, Marseille, May 2002 (18 June 2002)
- ITOPF Board Meeting (28 May 2002)
- Richard Santner - Moving On (21 May 2002)
- Pollution Seminar in Shanghai, 22nd April 2002 (8 May 2002)
- MEMAC Training Workshop, Bahrain, April 2002 (22 April 2002)
- Chemical Strike Team Training Milford Haven, 19-20 March 2002 (18 April 2002)
- ITOPF Handbook 2002/2003 (9 April 2002)
- ITOPF Visit to Iceland, March 2002 (3 April 2002)
- Safer Seas, International Conferences & Exhibition, Brest, March 2002 (21 March 2002)
- Tanker Spills 2001 (20 March 2002)
ITOPF AGM & Board Meeting, Hong Kong, 4th November 2002
ITOPF held its Annual General Meeting and Board Meeting in Hong Kong on Monday, 4th November. The assembled Directors discussed a wide range of administrative and technical issues. Notable points included:
New Directors
Two new Directors were appointed: - Mr Saleh Bashir K'aki, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vela International Marine, the Saudi Aramco subsidiary responsible for transporting the company's crude oil and products & Mr Otto H Fritzner, Managing Director of Stolt-Neilsen Transportation Group BV, one of the world's leading providers of transportation services for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, acids and other speciality liquids. Ms Linda Adamany, Chief Executive of BP Shipping Ltd, also announced her resignation at the Board Meeting. For a complete list of the current ITOPF Directors, click here.
ITOPF Advisory Committee
Mr Will Jenkins, President and Managing Director of International Marine Transportation Ltd, was appointed to succeed Ms Adamany as a member of the ITOPF Advisory Committee. The Committee meets twice a year to deal with administrative and management issues.
Tonnage entered in ITOPF
It was reported that just over 196 million GT of tanker tonnage was now entered in ITOPF by the organisation's Members. This included numerous chemical tankers as well as LPG and LNG carriers. Associate tonnage (all other types of ship) had risen to 320 million GT.
Staffing
It was hoped to appoint a suitably qualified technical member of staff to replace Mr Richard Santner by early next year. Mr Santner, one of ITOPF's Senior Technical Advisors, had left in the early summer to join Oil Spill Response Limited as their Training and Consultancy Manager. It was noted with regret that Ms Sarah Leach (now Mrs Sarah Lane since her recent marriage) was leaving ITOPF at the end of November to return to Canada with her husband. Ms Terry Goodchild would replace her as ITOPF Receptionist.
Relocation of the ITOPF Office
After 25 years, ITOPF would be leaving Staple Hall in September 2004 when its lease expires. A new location within the City of London is being sought.
Finances
In order to prepare for the costs of finding new premises, fitting them out and moving, the Board decided to increase the rate of Membership Dues to 0.85 of a UK penny per GT and Associate Dues to 0.23 of a UK penny per GT with effect from 20th February 2003. This marks a return to the rates that applied in 1999/2000, before three years of lower rates. The graph shows how stable Dues rates have been since the early 1990s, despite a great increase in activity and a rise in staff numbers.
Recent Developments in Compensation Regimes
Mr Måns Jacobsson, Director of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, joined the Board Meeting for this item to explain recent claims settlements, including the NADHODKA and AEGEAN SEA, and the work programme of the Third Intersessional Working Group.
Spill response
Reports were given on the 12 new incidents attended on-site since the last Board Meeting in May 2002. It was noted that only three of the incidents involved tankers, only two of which spilt crude oil (including the LIMBURG off Yemen). Most of the cases involved spills, or the threat of spills, of bunker fuel although there was also an increase in the number of incidents involving chemicals and other substances.
Training and Advisory Work
Progress was reported on the updating of the ITOPF report entitled, "An Assessment of the Risk of Oil Spills and the State of Preparedness in 13 Regional Seas Areas". ITOPF's extensive involvement in training programmes - frequently for the IMO - was also noted.
Designated Person Survey
The initiative to improve communication between ITOPF and the technical departments of shipowners and ship management companies had been successful, with over 450 responses to a survey form. More contact details are still being sought.
Information
The second in the new series of updated Technical Information Papers, entitled "Fate of Marine Oil Spills" has been published. Single copies are available free of charge.
Future Meetings
During 2003 the Advisory Committee will probably meet in May and September. The AGM and Board Meeting will be held at the end of October or in early November, at a location yet to be decided.
ITOPF/OCIMF/INTERTANKO Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation
The opportunity was taken by the three organisations meeting in Hong Kong to hold a one-day International Seminar. 29 countries were represented at the Seminar although, not surprisingly, just under half of the 250 delegates came from Hong Kong. A new feature of such Seminars was an Oil Spill Scenario, with presentations on behalf of some of the key interests that are likely to be involved in a major oil spill. This generated considerable interest and the ensuing discussion could have continued late into the evening.
19 November 2002
LIMBURG - Oil Spill, Yemen, 6th October 2002
On the morning of 6th October 2002 the French tanker LIMBURG (299,364 DWT) suffered an explosion and fire as she approached the SBM at the Ash Shihr terminal in Yemen. Initially the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire was unclear but it is now considered likely to have been the result of a terrorist attack. Damage was sustained to No. 4 Starboard tank, which at the time contained some 13,500 tonnes of Arabian Heavy crude. The vessel had part loaded at Ras Tanura with 54,000 tonnes of crude and was to load the rest of her cargo in Yemen for delivery to Malaysia.
The fire was limited to one tank and continued to burn for two days, consuming the great majority of the tanks' contents, although some was spilled to the sea. Dr Brian Dicks of ITOPF arrived on-site on 8th October, by which time the fire was extinguished and the vessel had been towed offshore. Aerial observations made that day revealed several hundred tonnes of oil residues still afloat on the sea close to the coast, and oil was stranding on shores as a result of onshore winds. Small volumes of oil - most likely oil that had been trapped in the space between the double hulls of the newly built vessel - continued to leak from the damaged area over successive days.
No coherent slicks which would be amenable to containment and recovery were seen after 8th October, and the viscous nature of the burned and weathered oil also meant that it could not be dispersed chemically. As a result, no at-sea response operation was mounted. Over the following days a series of aerial surveillance flights and shore inspections indicated that an estimated 300 tonnes had been spilled. This oil came ashore intermittently along some 120 km of the Yemeni coastline, from just south of the terminal to Al Mukalla, Mayfaa and Bir Ali. By 15th October some scattered patches of oil and sheen remained off the coast between Mayfaa and Bir Ali, but the total quantities involved were estimated to be some 10 tonnes or less and too scattered to merit any attempt at offshore recovery.
Shoreline oiling was patchy, with stretches of a few hundred metres heavily contaminated but elsewhere oiling was light to moderate. Shoreline clean-up was undertaken by a contractor appointed by the Yemeni authorities under the supervision of the Harbour Master of Al Mukalla.
Although Yemen has ratified the 1969 Civil Liability Convention (CLC), a terrorist act is one of the exclusions provided by the Convention. During the last few days of October 2002, the tanker owner made a payment, without admission of liability, to the Yemeni authorities as a gesture to the Yemeni people. The vessel was then allowed to sail to Fujairah for cargo transhipment and repairs.
15 November 2002
JOLLY RUBINO, South Africa, 10th September 2002
Since 15th September 2002, one of ITOPF's technical team has been working with the South African authorities to deal with pollution issues arising from the grounding of the ro-ro vessel, JOLLY RUBINO (29,119 GT, 1978 built, Italian flag) . Our role has been to provide technical advice to all parties involved with the pollution response, and has involved regular overflights and shoreline inspections, as well as meetings with all the relevant parties.
The Incident
On the 10th September 2002 a fire broke out in the engine room of the Ro-Ro JOLLY RUBINO which subsequently spread to cargo areas. The crew were safely evacuated from the ship. On 12th September, still on fire, the ship ran aground on the South African coast, some 25 nautical miles (46 km) north of Richards Bay. The ship is believed to have been carrying 1,100 tonnes of IFO 180 bunker fuel in two wing tanks and a further 250 tonnes in other tanks at the time of the incident.
Oil Spillage
The wreck lies some 300m from the shore, in an exposed position in the surf zone. A vertical crack in the port side released bunker oil from the wing tank on that side, the first spillage occurring at the time of the grounding on 12th September. Fires have continued to burn fiercely in the cargo areas since the vessel grounded, and the position of the vessel and heavy seas have foiled any possibility of getting the fires under control. This has also made it impossible for salvors to attempt any removal of oil from the vessel, or to verify how much has been spilled or what remains on board. In the days following the grounding, oil was being released slowly to the sea, forming dark bands in the surf zone within a few kilometres of the ship, where it was being naturally dispersed by the heavy seas. South-westerly winds initially moved the oil northwards along the coast, but with winds changing to north-easterly on 16th September, the oil has since being carried south by the Aghulas Current, away from the shore and out into the open sea. Long, narrow slicks which were breaking down to sheen and naturally dissipating, were seen to extend some 20 nautical miles from the casualty. No clean up response at sea has so far been necessary. A few tonnes of oil have been found on the shoreline within about 2 km of the wreck, and are being cleaned up. To date, sensitive environmental resources have not been affected by the spillage.
Whilst initially it seemed possible that the vessel could be refloated and towed away from the coast, a combination of heavy seas and the continuing fierce fires have resulted in deterioration of the casualty so that this option is no longer available. The salvors remain ready to attempt to board the vessel for fire fighting, damage evaluation and eventually, bunker and cargo removal, but for the moment the fires are preventing this.
Protection of Sensitive resources
Internationally significant wildlife sanctuaries, which are important for crocodiles, hippopotamusses, flamingos, mangroves and a variety of bird life are located to the north and the south of the wreck, in the St. Lucia area and the Nhlabene estuary. The entrances from the sea have been protected from potential oil ingress by using heavy mechanical equipment to reinforce and consolidate natural sand bars to close the openings. It has not been possible to protect mangrove areas in Richards Bay because strong currents and difficult access prevent the deployment of booms. So far, no oil has come near to these areas. Some areas of this coast are also important for recreational surf fishing and tourism, but it is currently low season. There are no mariculture facilities in the area or major commercial wild stock fisheries.
Containerised cargo
A variety of flammable goods form part of the cargo of the ship which, along with other consumables, have contributed to sustaining the fires. The authorities have been provided with a full cargo manifest and loading plan by the ship-owner. Some containers were lost from the upper deck of the vessel whilst she was adrift, which contained some packaged chemicals as well as general cargo. The potential fate of these containers is being investigated.
23 September 2002
NEW TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER
ITOPF has just published the second in its new series of Technical Information Papers (TIPs), which 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 1,500 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. TIP no. 2 deals with the fate of marine oil spills. It describes the various processes involved when oil is spilled at sea and how they interact to alter the nature, composition and behaviour of oil over time. This in turn has implications for oil spill response. The 8-page Paper is illustrated with colour photographs and contains a number of tables and diagrams showing, amongst other things, the classification of oils and the processes acting on spilled oil. Further TIPs will follow in the New Year.
Single copies of the new TIP are available free of charge from Terry Goodchild at ITOPF; multiple copies are charged at £1.00, reducing to 0.75p (excluding postage) for bulk orders. Copies can also be downloaded from the Publications page
23 September 2002
Update on International Seminar, Hong Kong, 6th November.
Over 150 delegates have now registered for the Seminar. Most are from Hong Kong but there are also a significant number of registrants from neighbouring countries and elsewhere in the world. It promises to be a highly successful event. If you have not yet registered, please do soon.
13 September 2002
Indian Ocean Regional Workshop on CLC/ IOPC Fund Claims Procedures, Mauritius, September 2002
Led and presented by Kathi Stanzel of ITOPF and Mr Jose Maura, Head of Claims, International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, the 3-day workshop on compensation procedures was organised by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and attended by high ranking delegates from Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles. The Workshop was held at the IOC Headquarters in Quatre Bornes with 13 attendees representing national Coast Guards and the Ministries of Tourism, Finance and Environment from the three countries. It was the first in a series of specialised training courses organised by the IOC as part of the regional oil spill contingency planning project sponsored by the World Bank. The Workshop proved highly successful and has led to a greater understanding of compensation procedures in the region.
10 September 2002
ITOPF/OCIMF/INTERTANKO Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation, Hong Kong, 6th November, 2002
The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) will be holding a series of meetings in Hong Kong at the beginning of November 2002. These meetings will bring together senior representatives from the world's oil, tanker shipping and marine insurance industries. The three organisations are therefore taking the opportunity to organise a one-day Seminar on Wednesday, 6th November at the JW Marriott Hotel, Pacific Place, Hong Kong, with the assistance of World-Wide Shipping Agency Ltd and the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association. The Seminar will address various topical issues related to tanker safety, pollution prevention, spill response and compensation. Attendance will be open to representatives of central and local government, oil companies, shipping companies, P&I Club correspondents, law firms, salvage companies, oil spill clean-up companies, environmental groups and academic institutions. Selected press representation will also be encouraged. Presentations will be in the English language.
Attendance at the Seminar will be free of charge. Attendees will, however, be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel and hotel costs. A block reservation of rooms has been made at the JW Marriott Hotel. These rooms will be held until 16th September, after which they will be released. We would therefore encourage you to make an early reservation if you require Hotel accommodation by using the booking form below, which should be sent to the Hotel.
1 August 2002
Further Evidence of the Welcome Reduction in Ship-Source Spills
In ITOPF's latest Annual Review, the organisation's new Chairman, Dr Helmut Sohmen, reports on the low incidence of ship-source oil spills during the financial year ended 20 February 2002. In terms of involvement in new spills, ITOPF experienced one of the quietest years ever, with staff being asked to attend on-site at only 13 incidents, 9 fewer than in the previous year. What was even more remarkable, and an all time record during ITOPF's 33-year existence, was that only one of the spills was of crude oil. The remaining incidents involved heavy fuel oil (in many cases carried as bunkers on non-tankers) or lighter products such as marine diesel or gas oil. Whilst these light products do not normally give rise to serious clean-up problems due to the fact that they tend to evaporate and dissipate quickly, they can generate concerns about possible localised environmental and fishery damage. This is one of the reasons why ITOPF found itself involved last year in a number of post-spill environmental impact assessments.
The reduction in the number of cases requiring the assistance of ITOPF technical advisors on behalf of shipowners, their P&I insurers and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds is very welcome and consistent with the general reduction in maritime casualties noted recently by other sectors of the industry. What is also noteworthy is that all the oil spills requiring ITOPF assistance in the twelve months under review involved relatively small quantities of oil, the largest spill being some 2,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil cargo from the double-hulled BALTIC CARRIER that was in collision with the TERN in the Baltic in March 2001. An unusual feature of this incident was the discovery when the TERN subsequently offloaded its cargo of sugar that some of the BALTIC CARRIER's cargo had entered its damaged bow.
Looking to the future, Dr Sohmen reports that ITOPF has started a measured build up of its capability to give advice to its Members and Associates on chemical spills. Consistent with the qualifications and experience of ITOPF's existing staff, this advice will concentrate on appropriate response techniques, as well as effects on the marine environment and economic resources such as fisheries. It is reasoned that requests for such advice are likely to increase once the HNS Convention enters into force.
Finally, Dr Sohmen offers congratulations to ITOPF's Managing Director, Dr Ian White, on having completed 25 years of highly successful service with the organisation.
25 July 2002
CCC Shell Training Course in Fort Lauderdale, USA - June 2002
The Tier 3 Centre Clean Caribbean Cooperative (CCC), based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, organises regular oil pollution training courses for its Members. Alexander Nicolau was delighted to be invited to attend the latest 5-day course in June, along with some 35 participants from Shell companies based in the Caribbean and South America.
After becoming familiar with counter pollution equipment during stockpile visits, the trainees were put through their paces on two main exercises on site. These involved aspects of contingency planning, team management, material deployment and decision making. During the classroom sessions, Alexander Nicolau took the opportunity to present an overview of ITOPF's role and activities, as well as the principle of reasonableness linked to cleanup operations under the Civil Liability and Fund Conventions. Alexander found participation in the course highly valuable. Other ITOPF staff have been invited to attend future courses.
Click here to view related pictures.
26 June 2002
IMO/IPIECA/UNEP Workshop in Mauritius, May 2002
ITOPF attended the IMO/IPIECA/UNEP Global Initiative Regional Workshop on Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Cooperation for Eastern Africa in Mauritius. The main objectives of the workshop were to identify actions for improved national and regional cooperation, both inter-governmental and between governments and industry (as stated in the Nairobi Convention and its Emergency Protocol) and to develop information on the international compensation regimes. Over 40 government and industry representatives attended from countries party to the Nairobi Convention, including Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. Camille Lecat of ITOPF gave a presentation on "Lessons Learnt from Past Incidents" with particular emphasis on the KATINA P response (Mozambique) and the TREASURE wildlife operations in South Africa. The Workshop was preceded by a Global Initiative (GI) Training Seminar for oil industry representatives from Eastern Africa and Western Indian Ocean Islands. Both events provided a useful forum for discussing matters of mutual interest and the overall feedback was very positive.
18 June 2002
Mediterranean Oil Industry Group (MOIG) Meeting, Marseille, May 2002
Camille Lecat and Alexander Nicolau of ITOPF attended the latest MOIG meeting hosted by TotalFinaElf in Marseille. The meeting included presentations on oil spill arrangements in France and Lebanon, and an afternoon dedicated to scientific studies with presentations from the Oceanology Centre of Marseille, WWF-France and the University of Aix Marseille III. There were also presentations from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Central Institute for Scientific & Technological Marine Research (ICRAM), as well as an oil spill equipment demonstration at the Fast Oil Spill Team (FOST) facility in Marignane.
18 June 2002
ITOPF Board Meeting
The ITOPF Board of Directors met in Houston, Texas, USA on Tuesday, 7th May under the Chairmanship of Dr Helmut Sohmen (click here for a complete list of ITOPF's current Directors). Much of the meeting was taken up by a detailed review of the 24 spills attended on-site by ITOPF's technical staff over the previous 18 months. Interestingly, only three of these spills involved crude oil, with the rest being fuel oils, either carried as cargo or bunkers. Despite the fact that all the spills involved relatively small quantities of oil (the largest was the spill of some 2,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the BALTIC CARRIER in March 2001), this did not lessen the clean-up and damage issues.
A general review of ITOPF's role in spill preparedness and response resulted in the Board endorsing proposals to improve the organisation's network of contacts around the world to assist ITOPF's world-wide efforts to encourage effective response and the mitigation of damage. There was also agreement that ITOPF should improve its capability to respond to requests for advice and assistance from shipowners and their P&I insurers in connection with spills of hazardous and noxious substances. Recent initiatives to improve communication channels with the ISM Designated Persons within ITOPF's Members and Associates were welcomed. The remaining time at the Board Meeting was largely taken up with administrative and financial matters.
The next ITOPF AGM and Board Meeting will be held in Hong Kong on 4th November 2002. OCIMF and INTERTANKO will be holding meetings at the same time and the opportunity will be taken to organise a one-day, international Seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation on Wednesday, 6th November. 28 May 2002
Richard Santner - Moving On
Richard Santner, one of ITOPF's three Senior Technical Advisers, is leaving in early June to take up an appointment as Training & Consultancy Manager at Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL). Richard has been with ITOPF for over seven years. During that time he has attended on-site at oil spills in some 30 different countries. He has also undertaken training and consultancy assignments around the world. Richard will be greatly missed, but we are pleased he is going to an organisation with which we have close links.
21 May 2002
Pollution Seminar in Shanghai, 22nd April 2002
The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), the China Classification Society's and the UK P&I Club combined to hold a major seminar on oil pollution risk at the JC Mandarin Hotel, Shanghai. The aim of the seminar was to raise awareness of shipowners and others about oil pollution risk in China and to provide practical pointers to better risk management.
The event was well attended by about 160 personnel from MSA, shipping companies and other organisations associated with shipping operations. The seminar was opened by Captain Zhiyi Wang, Director-General of Shanghai MSA and by Herry Lawford, Chairman of Thomas Miller (Asia Pacific) Ltd as well as distinguished guests Yongchan Qian, Director of the Association of China Transportation, Fukuan Lu, Deputy Director of the Urban Construction and Environmental Protection Committee of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and Hao Hong, Director General of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau.
Amongst presentations which included the new Bunker and HNS Conventions, lightering operations, recent MARPOL developments, and risk management in Chinese ports, Dr. Brian Dicks made a presentation on lessons learned from recent spills. This was the second pollution seminar to be held in Shanghai, the former in June 2001 having focussed on insurance and compensation issues associated with oil pollution. Both seminars have proved to be highly successful, and have led to greater understanding and co-operation between all concerned.
Click here to view a photograph from the seminar.
8 May 2002
MEMAC Training Workshop, Bahrain, April 2002
ITOPF provided a series of lectures and assisted with on-site drills and exercises at a 5-day training workshop in Bahrain organised by the Marine Environment Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC) in co-operation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The training workshop involved the simultaneous presentation of three IMO courses on oil spill preparedness and response each aimed at different levels of personnel.
- Level One provided a complete overview of oil pollution combating and clean-up techniques for government and industry personnel involved in on-site logistics and equipment deployment;
- Level Two was aimed at supervisors who would lead the team in oil spill response measures;
- Level Three provided Senior Mangers and Administrators with an awareness of the roles and responsibilities of senior personnel in the management of oil spills of national significance.
The workshop was attended by over 70 representatives, from Bahrain, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. It was successful in raising awareness of the need for National Contingency Plans and in promoting the need for national and regional co-operation in oil pollution preparedness and response.
22 April 2002
Chemical Strike Team Training Milford Haven, 19-20 March 2002
ITOPF was pleased to participate in a Chemical Strike Team (CST) training course, organised by V.Ships for their personnel involved in the carriage of hazardous cargoes at sea. ITOPF took part in the 2-day training which was conducted at the Marine Pollution Salvage Centre in Milford Haven, and also involved UK government personnel from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The CST has a 5-year contract with MCA and meets periodically for training purposes. It provided an excellent opportunity for all personnel to remain familiar with Personal Protective Equipment and aware of the hazards which some chemicals pose. Particular emphasis was given to teamwork. Mr. Richard Santner gave a presentation of ITOPF's role on-site based on recent spills.
Click here to view photographs of the team in action.
18 April 2002
ITOPF Handbook 2002/2003
ITOPF is delighted to announce the publication of its 2002/2003 Handbook. First produced in 1997, the ITOPF Handbook contains a wealth of valuable information and guidance for those likely to be involved in spills of oil and chemicals from ships. The Handbook has been expanded and updated since the last edition, and now contains a chapter on the organisation of spill response and contingency planning, plus new sections on the Bunker Spills and HNS Conventions. The chapters on the fate and effects of oil and clean-up techniques have been revised, and updated information is provided on the status of international Conventions and oil spill statistics. The Handbook also contains sections on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the OPRC Convention, plus a summary of ITOPF's technical services, its publications and staff.
9 April 2002
ITOPF Visit to Iceland, March 2002
ITOPF has recently assisted with a 2-day spill response training course for the US Navy at their facility in Keflavik, Iceland. The course was organised by PCCI and comprised lectures on spills, response and contingency planning and two table-top exercises. Dr Brian Dicks contributed two lectures, the first on spill risks in Iceland, compensation arrangements and national response arrangements, the second a review of response options and disposal, based upon recent case histories. He also took on various tasks of role playing and monitoring the exercises on day two. The course was well attended and provided an excellent opportunity to test response arrangements and communications between all the players.
Whilst in Iceland, Dr Dicks also met with local shipowners, oil company representatives, and representatives of the Icelandic government pollution authority, the Office of Environmental Protection of the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland. These meetings were a useful opportunity to raise awareness of ITOPF and to discuss various issues related to the risk of spills and state of preparedness in Iceland and compensation matters.
Click here to view some photographs from the Navy training course.
3 April 2002
Safer Seas, International Conferences & Exhibition, Brest, March 2002
ITOPF has taken an active role in a week of conferences and exhibitions on maritime safety, oil spill response and marine environmental protection held in Brest, France. The conferences were very well attended (more than 600 delegates) and provided an excellent forum for discussion of many issues arising from recent oil spills.
ITOPF presented three papers at the IMO's Third R&D Forum on High Density Oil Spill Response. Dr Brian Dicks presented a scene-setting review of the problems posed by spills of heavy fuel oils. Dr Michael O'Brien presented a paper entitled "At-Sea Recovery of High Density Oils - A Reasonable Response Strategy?" and Dr Tosh Moller spoke about the recovery of sunken oil during the Volgoneft 248 incident in the Sea of Marmara. In addition, Mr Richard Santner acted as rapporteur for the session on behaviour and fate. At the "Technical Lessons Learnt from the Erika Incident and Other Spills" seminar organised by CEDRE, Mr Hugh Parker presented a paper entitled "Termination of Shoreline Clean-up: a Technical Perspective" and Dr Brian Dicks acted as rapporteur for sessions on environmental impacts, site remediation and waste processing. Copies of the ITOPF papers will be available on the website shortly. ITOPF were also represented at INTERSPILL 2002, an exhibition of pollution response equipment and service providers.
A comprehensive demonstration of oil spill response equipment was also staged at CEDRE's headquarters.
Click here to view a selection of photographs from the week.
21 March 2002
Tanker Spills 2001
Since 1974, ITOPF has maintained a database of accidental oil spills from tankers, combined carriers and barges. The incidents are categorised by size with large spills defined as greater than 700 tonnes of oil. Analysis of data for the year 2001 shows only three recorded incidents over 700 tonnes, the largest being the BALTIC CARRIER which spilled 2400 tonnes of heavy fuel oil cargo as a result of a collision in the Baltic Sea during September 2001. Further analysis indicates that the remaining two incidents, which occurred in the Gulf, involved the transportation of, allegedly, embargoed oil from Iraq. As a consequence 2001 had arguably the lowest incidence of accidental tanker spills from recognised international seaborne trade on record.
20 March 2002