The Liberian Registry has issued Marine Advisory aiming to present the requirements and regulations of the Panama Canal SOPEP (PCSOPEP), which became effective January 1, 2005. The Liberian Administration after reviewing and evaluating this regulation has incorporated guidelines to assist shipowners, operators and masters.
At all times, the ACP acts as the sole Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO) for all vessels irrespective of the flag, in transit or awaiting transit of the Panama Canal.
The PCSOPEP is a program that seeks to implement emergency preparedness strategies for Panama Canal waters. It aids the ACP in minimizing consequences of spills and emergencies by safeguarding life, reducing the impact on the environment and ensuring the continuous operation of the Canal.
All operators using the Panama Canal have the primary responsibility of implementing the PCSOPEP and participating in the response, as stated in Section Four of Chapter IX of the Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal waters, following the procedures are obliged to comply with the provisions of the PCSOPEP as long as their vessel(s) are under the scope of applicability of this requirement. They should cooperate actively in the event of a spill and shall activate its own plan and notify the ACP.
PCSOPEP for a vessel under the Liberian Flag shall be developed by an organization or individual experienced in pollution prevention and response, however Liberia recommends the use of SeaNet, a company having qualified personnel with vast experience in the maritime sector that can act as the PCSOPEP Authorized Person.
The PCSOPEP program requirements apply to toll-paying vessels that transit the Panama Canal with a 400 Metric Ton (MT) or more carrying capacity of oil as cargo and/or fuel.
Further details may be found in the report herebelow
Source: LISCR