22 July
Introduction to NCP in Marine Pollution
The Department of Marine Administration (DMA) has finalized a National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution (NCP) at the end of 2018. The NCP has been translated from English to Myanmar successfully and submitted to the Ministry of Transport and Communications for approval from the Union Government in the first quarter of 2020.
Background
In recent years there has been a supertanker terminal, Kyaukpyu deep-sea port, constructed in the Rakhine region on the west coast of Myanmar. The received oil has been transported through a pipeline to China, which is made` island project which makes Myanmar become an oil receiver country in a million tones per annum, so the risk of oil pollution is likely to be significant.
On the other hand, several oil terminals and general cargo wharves are situated along the Yangon River though there are no persistent oils, other than bunker fuels, imported so far, shipping traffics is more congested and therefore the risk of an oil spill is relatively more profound. Besides, offshore blocks for exploration and production have been extended to deep water in the EEZ and thus as to present a fairly high risk of marine pollution owing to collisions, stranding, blowouts, and other marine accidents. Such risks of pollution threaten coastal habitats, amenity beaches, the tourist industry, sea birds, marine life and mangroves, coastal installations and fishing industry.
National Task Force (NTF) Meetings
Myanmar has signed the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Co-operation OPRC 1990, on 15 December 2016. Therefore, the DMA has encouraged the maritime stakeholders, including oil and gas industries, to prepare their respective oil spill contingency plans as well as appropriate response stockpile based on spill risk to be in place.
The National Task Force was formed by consisting of (22) members from national authorities and concerned departments nominated by several ministries, representatives from port terminals, and offshore industries.
There were also local and international consultants and experts from the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) and IMO-IPIECA GISEA Project Coordinator. The mission of the group is targeted to draw up a NOSCP, later on, it was changed the name to National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution (here and after refers as NCP) as it was advised by the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) consultants in order to cover all types of pollution, not just caused by oil.
There were a series of meetings throughout the year 2017 till the end of 2018 that was a deadline given by the Ministry to be the completion date. Because of that order, the plan for conducting surveys for sensitivity mapping along the coastline was postponed to later months in 2019 when it was expected to finally be approved by the government level.
Risk Assessment Methodology
• Identify Initial Risk Rating
• Identify Control Measures
• Elimination of Risk(s)
• Reduce/Substitution
• Engineering Control
• Administrative /Procedural Control
• Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Identification of Control Measures
• Review residual risk after control measure have been identified
Risk Assessment Design Oil Spill Risk Assessment
• Identify possible oil spills scenarios
• Identify the sensitive resources that may be impacted by the oil spill risks
• Evaluate the risk based on the probability and severity of the oil spill impact
• Evaluate preventive and response measures including the level of equipment capability available
• Gather information on the oil products (e.g., storage location, quantity, oil characteristic, etc.)
Risk Identification Increase Traffic
The number of vessels calling at Port of Yangon gradually increased during the last decade that 2018 figure reaches 140% of the number in the last ten years. Cargo handling at Yangon Port is also an outstanding surge from 2008 to 2018. As the number of ships increasing in traffic, no doubt the risk of maritime accidents is likely to encounter much more frequently. The increase in shipping traffic is the main cause of spill risks.
Industrial Zone
As booming economic and industrial zones to require the capacity expansion of ports, deport, tanks, pipelines, particularly in Thilawa industrial zones and Yangon city, the increase of fuel demand is one of the casual factors to oil import activities and transportation more frequently. Particularly serious challenge likely to result from the Thilawa SEZ, together with new port regardless of export or import, definitely becomes the vessel traffic congestion. Thus, these development scans to be considered as the potential of an oil spill.
Oil and Gas Industry
According to the statistic, the risk of a major oil spill from an offshore platform is very low. On average, each year, it only contributes less than 4% of the total spills into the sea come from offshore exploration and production. In general, oil production offshore is regulated through national legislation. However, in this region, offshore operations are controlled by the E&P operators themselves. In principle, the government should have regulated and set the standards for operation and planning for emergencies, including oil spill response. At the same time, contingency plans have to be prepared by the operator of the offshore facility and shall be endorsed by the regulatory authority before the facility begins operation. The development of oil and gas exploration and production activities in Myanmar waters is one of the spill risks.
Natural Disaster
Natural Disaster or severe weather conditions could increase the risk of spill in the operation of the Oil and Gas industrial and maritime transportation. Recalling the worst catastrophe happened in Myanmar deltaic region, during 2008 Cyclone Nargis hit the Deltaic region of Myanmar on 02 May 2008, crossing the south of the country over two days, and left devastating consequences.
Other causes
Not only a natural disaster but human-made disasters are also manifested to fire and explosion that may be caused by the terrorist attack, sabotage or by any perpetrators who have been threatening maritime safety and security as well.
Contingency Plan
The format of a contingency plan should comply with existing:
• Local legislation and regulations
• Company policy and standards
• The National contingency plan
• YOSCP operates as an Area Plan
• MMIP serves as PFOSCP as well as Area Plan
• Furthermore, all OSCPs are integrated into the NOSCP
Observations
• The Project team recorded the following observations: -
• Good general awareness of the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution (the National Plan).
• Most of the port operators are waiting for guidance from the government with regard to the implementation of the National Plan.
• There is a fundamental lack of understanding of the Risk Assessment of spill risk and the selection of appropriate response(s).
• The Tiered Response concept is largely understood. National Plan Tier 1: “a small-sized spill or minor event within the facility”
• Guidelines are required concerning Risk Assessment and the development of appropriate response(s).
• Some facilities have been proactive and have Oil Spill Response Equipment (OSRE); however, most are not serviceable or is inappropriate, illustrating the lack of a formal risk assessment approach.
• Given the dominant high current speeds, any spill in or entering the River should automatically be considered a Tier 2 event since the response required would fall outside the Tier 1 capability.
• The provision of a common Tier 2 stockpile of OSRE would provide an efficient and cost-effective way to meet the requirements of the National Plan.
• A dedicated, professional, appropriately trained, and equipped response organization would be best placed to deliver an adequate and appropriate Tier 2 response on the Yangon River.
THE WAY FORWARD
Key requirements for implementation: -
• Risk Assessment
• Spill Response Centre Establishment
• Capacity-building
• Drills
• National Level Exercise
• Regional Level Exercise
• Initiate the Network among Thilawa SEZ and Yangon Port Terminal for corporation and collaboration in case of any emergency Oil spills, Safety and Security concerns
• To promote safety culture within industry Thilawa SEZ and Yangon ports operators Writer: - Captain Aung Zaw, FMNP MBA, UBIS University, Geneva, Switzerland B.Sc. (Physics), Master Mariner (F.G) Advanced Diploma in Maritime Transportation (Singapore Polytechnic)
References:-
Dr. Ian Borthwick, B.a. (27 to31May 2019). Yangon and Thilawa Port Visit, Port InspectionObservations.
Force, N.T. (2018). National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution. Yangon: Department of Marine Administration (D.M.A).
IPIECA. (19 January 2015). A Guide to Contingency Planning for Oil Spills on Water. London: IPIECA. Retrieved fromhttp:// www.ipieca.org
IPIECA.(2000).A GUIDE TO CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OIL SPILL ON WATER. London,
United Kingdom: IPIECA International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ipieca.org
Ko Ko Naing, C. (31 May 2019). Thilawa and Yangon Port Visit close out meeting PowerPoint. Yangon: DMA.
NORAD. (Annual Report 2018). The Oil for Development Programme. Oslo, Norway: Norad Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
By Captain Aung Zaw (HSSE Consultant For Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection Division Department of Marine Administration )
