IMO conducted a workshop in Cambodia, the latest country to update its oil spill contingency plan, by acknowledging the country’s specific risks and gaps, so that they’re able to rapidly and effectively respond to potential oil spill incidents.
Accordingly, the workshop took place on August 6 to 9, and united 60 participants from 20 government entities and oil companies.
The participants gained additional knowledge on the international framework for oil spill preparedness and response. Thus, they collaborated to develop a plan to finalize and conduct Cambodia’s oil spill contingency plan.
The workshop was organized under the framework of the Global Initiative project for South East Asia (GI SEA), a joint project with the oil and gas industry (IPIECA).
Moreover, during IMO’s PPR 6 meeting, the Sub-Committee agreed the draft Guide on practical implementation of the pollution prevention and response treaties (OPRC Convention and the OPRC-HNS Protocol).
Specifically, the Guide aims to:
- promote understanding of the overall OPRC Convention and OPRC-HNS Protocol concept;
- explain the benefits of participation in this international regime;
- provide a step-wise approach for the planning, preparedness and implementation process at national and regional levels;
- identify existing publications and support mechanisms to assist with implementation.
Given that oil spill incidents have a harmful impact on the marine environment, MPA Singapore published a circular reminding to all ships supplying and receiving bunkers in the Port of Singapore that bunkering related oil spills generally take place because of operational lapses and could be avoided if all necessary precautions are taken.
