Tag: oil spill prevention

The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has published a circular to regulate marine oil spill cleanup and recovery efforts. Specifically, a preliminary investigation on the level of pollution will have to be made within the first 10 days after the report of an oil spill. The circular will apply from March 12.

Arctic FoxTail, a new oil spill response device, capable of cleaning up spills in the Arctic passed the testing as stated by H Henrisken's press release. The device is a winterised version of the company's Foxtail mop skimmer and contributes to Norway's preparedness when it comes to oil spills. 

The ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan was adopted by the 24th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 8 November. The Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan provides a mechanism where ASEAN Member States can request and provide mutual support in response to any oil spills.

UK presented the first images from a satellite which is able to see through clouds and image the Earth. SAR can see through clouds and image the Earth throughout the day. These images can be used to detect oil spills as well as suspicious shipping activity. They are also able to monitor deforestation.

On October, INTERPOL conducted a world-wide law enforcement operation aimed at investigating maritime pollution found 500 offences, including illegal discharges of oil and garbage from ships, violations of ship emissions rules, as well as river pollution and runoffs from land to sea. The international effort led to more than 5200 inspections resulted in at least 185 investigations, with arrests and prosecutions anticipated.