In order to strengthen its response capacity network, EMSA launched a procurement procedure to contract new Intermediate storage vessels in the North and Baltic Seas.
EMSA intends to establish a large intermediate storage capacity to improve the efficiency of the response operations to recover oil at sea.
Therefore, it would like to contract the availability of a vessel arrangement (single vessel or “pool” of vessels) habitually engaged in Ship to Ship (STS) transfer operations.
During an incident, a request for assistance would activate the vessel arrangement at short notice to support the recovery operations by providing intermediate storage service.
EMSA also provides additional response capacity to that of the pollution response mechanisms of EU Member States through contractual arrangements with private or public companies/consortia.
Such companies/consortia can be drawn from any relevant industry including shipowners/operators and the spill response service providers.