The Focal Points and partners of the Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Activity Centre (MERRAC) of NOWPAP gathered online at the 23rd MERRAC Focal Point Meeting (FPM) and the 15th Competent National Authorities (CNA) Meeting on 7-8 July 2021 to explore measures to further strengthen the regional cooperation on addressing maritime disasters.
The annual meeting reviewed the progress of the MERRAC's information system consisting of the lists on equipment, related institutions and experts, and reported oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) pollution incidents that occurred in the NOWPAP region since 1990, especially those that took place in 2019-2020 with details including the location, incident type, amount of the pollutant, and pollution type.
The meeting also encouraged the NOWPAP Member States to promptly exchange information on oil and HNS spills through an online system called POLREP.
The progress on the following projects have been reported to the meeting:
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Assessment of oil spill emergency preparedness and response for the offshore platform in the NOWPAP region
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Assessment of the implementation of OPRC Convention and OPRC-HNS Protocol in the NOWPAP region
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Identification of regional cooperation activities for MARPOL Convention under NOWPAP MERRAC framework
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Response options for condensate spill in context of update of NOWPAP MERRAC Regional Report on HNS Preparedness and Response, 2012
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Development of MERRAC Strategic Plan
During the 15th Competent National Authorities Meeting for NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan, its participants reviewed lessons learned during the 7th DELTA exercise, a joint exercise responding to major marine pollution incidents, and the 22nd BRAVO exercise, an annual communication exercise for oil spill and other maritime accidents.
The meeting discussed the importance of preparedness on newly emerging fuels such as low sulfur fuel oil, biodiesel, liquefied natural gas, and ammonium, and agreed to share relevant national strategy, regulation, framework, experience responding to the changing paradigm of oil and HNS spill issue.
At the end of the meeting, the participants reviewed the work plan and budget for the 2022-2023 biennium. They proposed the following special project proposals to be submitted to the 24th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting for approval:
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Identification of laws and regulations related to preparedness and response to the marine pollution caused by new shipping fuels in the NOWPAP region
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Development of regional cooperation on oil fingerprinting in NOWPAP region
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Regional cooperation on illegal discharge from ships under NOWPAP MERRAC framework
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Development of Response options to typical emergencies/accidents to oil and chemical carriers in the NOWPAP region
During the meeting, a NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit representative briefed the participants on the progress of NOWPAP’s activities, including the development of a regional plan on biodiversity conservation, the State of Marine Environment State, and revision of the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter.
A representative of the International Maritime Organization introduced that IMO initiated e-learning packages and organized home-based consultancies in lieu of face-to-face workshops due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IMO planned to organize a meeting with the Regional Seas Programme to explore further opportunities for cooperation.
