Business | Shipping
Reducing pollution in Gulf waters
Special area status is now in force in the 'Gulfs area' under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol 73/78) following ratification by the Gulf countries.
- By Frank Kennedy, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:28 August 24, 2008
Special area status is now in force in the 'Gulfs area' under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol 73/78) following ratification by the Gulf countries. South African waters are also similarly protected.
The area was designated as such in 1973 when Marpol was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation. The slow process of ratification and indeed, inadequate provision of reception facilities for waste oil have meant that 35 years have elapsed before these mandatory provisions for ships in Gulf fully apply.
Specifically defined areas under Marpol (such as the Arabian Gulf) are seen as particularly vulnerable to environmental deterioration because of oceanographical and ecological factors and require extra protection.
The requirements of the status applies to the discharge of oil and to the discharge of garbage. Of all the special areas that remain to 'enter into force', three out of four are in the Middle East region for either oil discharge, or garbage, or both.
The situation perhaps underlines how the Middle East region is falling behind in protecting the marine environment. The lack of reception facilities for waste from ships in ports means that potential pollutants undoubtedly end up in the sea.
However, the UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as part of the Regional Organisation for the Protection of the Marine Environment (Ropme) have displayed a commitment to address the problem through an emergency response arm - Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (Memac).
A 10-year regional project on the implementation of Marpol organised and administered by Ropme has helped. Ropme seeks to promote awareness about the marine environment and underline the 'special area' status given to the Gulf. Memac exists to provide joint cooperation and leadership in the event of a major oil spill in Gulf waters.
However, tardiness by some states in ratifying Marpol has hindered the development of proactive environmental management in the region.
In order for the Ropme/Memac arrangements to be executable, each participating government needs to have a viable National Oil Response Plan in place. Unfortunately, not all the governments have such a plan.
Each Memac member is reported to have response equipment to be pooled in the event of an emergency, but its physical availability appears minimal. This equipment remains largely with the private sector - particularly the oil industry!
The 'special status' should not be considered an 'end' achievement, but rather a point from which to begin effective measures. Windfall oil revenues could be used to meet the costs.
- The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.
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