Countries in the Red Sea region are taking steps to improve their preparedness and response systems for major marine pollution incidents involving oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) spills.
A subregional workshop held in Hurghada, Egypt (5-8 May), brought together 18 officials from Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen to build technical skills, enhance coordination mechanisms, and reinforce contingency planning for such spills.
As one of the world's most critical shipping lanes, the Red Sea area continues to face maritime security risks related to wider geopolitical tensions, which have led to some maritime incidents. The focus was on equipping officials and responders with the skills and knowledge needed to manage and mitigate major marine pollution incidents, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration, communication and a coordinated regional approach among States, UN bodies and international partners.
Experts led in-depth sessions on oil spill prevention, emergency response strategy and inter-agency coordination. Participants took part in table-top exercises and reviewed real-life case studies involving the MV RUBYMAR, MV SOUNION and ASL BAUHINIA, which all happened in the Red Sea. These cases illustrated the complex challenges posed by ship-related pollution incidents in a geopolitically tense environment.
The workshop was hosted by the Red Sea Emergency Mutual Aid Centre for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (EMARSGA) and delivered with support from to the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), through IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
The activity is expected to improve inter-agency coordination, advance robust regional contingency plans for oil and HNS spills, and enhance overall preparedness and response capabilities for countries bordering the Red Sea.
