PREVENTION AND ABATEMENT OF MARINE POLLUTION IN TUNISIAN COMMERCIAL PORTS

Robert H. Hazelton, Robert M. Sargent, Erich R. Gundlach, Mohamed Anis Boussetta, Ahmed Ben Djebara, Sahbene Ben Fadhel
2001 International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings  
In addition to having ports that ship and receive oil and other commercial products by sea, the Republic of Tunisia is exposed to potential spills from vessels that are routed close to shore as they transit the Mediterranean. This paper summarizes a study that was conducted to evaluate Tunisia's commercial ports' oil spill contingency plans, response equipment, and response management systems, for the purposes of increasing the spill response capability of the Tunisian Office of the Merchant
more » ... ine and Ports (OMMP) and bringing each plan up to criteria established by Tunisia's 1996 oil spill legislation and international standards. The four ports evaluated were General of Energy, the state-owned oil transportation company (TRAPSA), and selected private sector oil companies. The equipment review entailed analysis of existing equipment in each port, potential spill size and location, time to respond, and environmentally sensitive areas needing protection. Specific recommendations were made for improving the readiness posture of Tunisia's commercial ports and for the purchase of additional spill-response equipment and services. Implementation of these recommendations will result in a significantly improved capability on the part of the private and public sector users of Tunisia's commercial ports to respond effectively to marine oil spills, should one occur. This paper highlights the readiness capability of each port and the extent of oil transportation activities, and provides recommendations to improve response via equipment purchases, improvement of the existing response management system, implementation of a training and exercise program, and changes to the port contingency plans.
doi:10.7901/2169-3358-2001-2-1449 fatcat:fhu4ofk2evbapb3pyihrajf4r4