Abu Dhabi Ports said it has completed a programme to significantly boost the oil spill response capabilities at its busiest commercial ports.

Under the programme, specialised equipment containers, a dedicated speed boat (with another one on order), two new trucks (of which one is equipped with a crane) have been purchased at an investment of more than Dh2 million ($544,351), said a statement from Abu Dhabi Ports.

Also comprehensive training has been given to more than 75 members of its staff.  

As part of the scheme, Abu Dhabi Ports has signed a contract with the National Response Corporation (NRC), a global service provider of emergency response solutions, said the company in its statement.

The contract ensures the support of NRC’s Oil Spill & Hazmat (short for hazardous materials) response team and the usage of its equipment in case a major incident occurs in one of the ports of Abu Dhabi Ports.

The majority of the specialised equipment containers are located at Khalifa Port, reflecting its size and the number of ships using the port. Others have been distributed to Zayed Port, the Free Port and Musaffah, it stated.

In each location, the easily transported container is being used to store new equipment, including specialised pumps, skimmers, tanks and a variety of booms. Their location too has been planned in such a way that they offer easy and quick access to essential equipment in case of an emergency, the statement added.

Abu Dhabi Ports said the new speed boat was fast and high powered and has various customised features to ensure it provides the best support.

"For example, it has doors that open sideways, so that a boom to accumulate oil and prevent it from spreading can be easily and quickly deployed if needed. Three flat bottomed boats have been purchased and a second speed boat which will be specifically designed for debris collection is on order.  The two new trucks, one of which is equipped with a crane, will provide dedicated overland support," stated Sultan Al Jaberi, the vice president (Regulations) HSE & Security, Abu Dhabi Ports.

"In addition, more than 75 members of staff are now qualified, having completed the International Maritime Organisation’s Level 1 Oil Spill Response training. The boats will be operated by Marine Services personnel working in close coordination with Abu Dhabi Ports Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) team," he added.

Last year, eight comprehensive oil spill drills were conducted successfully across the different locations, with varying scenarios to test the participant’s knowledge and reactions and to improve response time.  
 
Commenting on the preparations, Al Jaberi said: "We are pleased to announce our improved capabilities in this area. We are confident that our team can respond quickly and effectively to any incident to ensure that a situation is managed as quickly as possible. Protecting human life and the environment is our top priority in everything we do."

Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports’ core objective is to facilitate the diversification of the economy by stimulating trade and development. The flagship Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone play a big role, supporting the diversification of the economy.

Abu Dhabi Ports manages nine commercial, logistics, community and leisure ports, and Khalifa Industrial Zone which is serving a range of logistics and manufacturing investors.-TradeArabia News Service