Duqm port conducts oil spill response drill

The Port of Duqm organised an oil spill response training programme for all relevant stakeholders in the presence of Dr Ali al Sunaidi, Chairman of Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones in Duqm on Wednesday.

The exercise reflected the port's commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility and collaboration with stakeholders.

Objectives of the Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC) training included developing multiple scenarios and corresponding strategies, identifying challenges in the implementation of plans and deploying oil spill response equipment (OSRE) during emergencies. The training also addressed various stakeholders' oil spill response plans and the importance of collaborative efforts in effectively responding to minimise environmental impact.

Elaborating on the training and drill, Hashem bin Tahir al Ibrahim,

Chief Business Support Officer at Port of Duqm, said, "The crisis management and oil spill response training aimed to support the port's development efforts and enhance its efficiency, thus maximising the port's potential and enhancing its competitiveness among regional ports. Simulated potential scenarios allowed training for dealing with oil pollution incidents, utilising the latest pollution control techniques."

The drill was conducted by coordinating efforts across various teams within the Port of Duqm and stakeholders like SEZAD, OTTCO, Asyad Drydock, ATD, CTOM, ACT & LAMOR. The exercise also acted as a test for the reliability of oil spill response equipment like containment booms, deflection booms and skimmers. The port's spill response team demonstrated high efficiency in handling spill incidents, highlighting the readiness of employees and equipment for such situations.