In Preview of International Maritime Arena
Marine ecosystem is being monitored through regular patrolling of Marine Protected Areas, Control Boarding operations onboard merchant vessels to ensure compliance with international and national regulations, Port State Control Measures, continuous surveillance of harbour against any environmental hazard and through collaborative training & rehearsing response mechanism against any oil spill incidents.
Today, the world faces paramount challenges related to the use of fossil fuels. Environmental pollution, the reality of anthropogenic climate change, and the potential hazards associated with oil and gas have induced policy-makers to draft ambitious plans for transitions to renewable alternatives. Since the culmination of 20th century, industrialized nations are intensely dependent on the excessive consumption of hydrocarbon resources (oil and natural gas).
The transition from “Coal Era” towards the rise of “Hydrocarbon Era” within a relatively short period of time explains the material and economic advantages of hydrocarbons, as their physical properties permit more convenient transport and storage, while their higher energy density enabled an increase in economic efficiency. Moreover, it may be considered that post-war hydrocarbon boom was driven by the discovery and development of large oil and gas fields, pricing to compete with coal, as well as innovation in oil and gas related technologies.
The Hydrocarbon era facilitated progressive industrialization & rapid economic development and resultantly caused a considerable increase in marine transportation of raw material, especially of crude oil. However, a significant amount of oil comes into the sea from operational discharge of ships (ballast and bilge water) as well as from incidents such as collision and groundings.
The Hydrocarbon era facilitated progressive industrialization & rapid economic development and resultantly caused a considerable increase in marine transportation of raw material, especially of crude oil. However, a significant amount of oil comes into the sea from operational discharge of ships (ballast and bilge water) as well as from incidents such as collision and groundings.
Offshore exploration and exploitation of oil and gas is connected with the danger of blow-outs and major spills. The first major oil spill incident was caused in 1967 by grounding of the tanker “Torrey Canyon” spilling about 117,000 tons of crude oil. Afterwards, in 1969 blow-out of the offshore platform “Santa Barbara” caused spillage of 13,600 tons. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the largest accidental oil spill in history that began in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010.
The oil platform was capsized and sank resulting in spillage of around 134 million gallons of oil and more importantly about 2,100 km (1 ,300 miles) of the U.S. Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida was coated with oil. These incidents have provided defining grounds for maritime nations and international maritime bodies to enhance mechanism for protection of the marine environment through international legislation and implementation of rigorous requirements concerning the construction and exploitation of ships and offshore platforms, limiting the possibility and extent of oil spills. Regional and bilateral international agreements between neighboring countries have been concluded, containing national and bi-lateral contingency plans, describing the means and methods of cooperation in case of major oil spill.
As far Pakistan is concerned, 1050 km long coastline and the EEZ with 290000 sq. km provides invaluable untapped and unexplored hydrocarbon reserves, minerals, fish stocks and other marine resources. However, in contemporary progressive technological era, Pakistan being a developing country has become more dependent upon oil-based products to ensure streamlined economic and industrial growth.
Moreover, optimal utilization of Ports, uninterrupted marine traffic flow while ensuring perseverance of marine ecosystem remains paramount challenges at national level Pakistan imports huge quantities of oil and considerable amount of hazardous chemicals to meet its energy and industrial requirements.
Hence, there is a grave risk of oil /chemical pollution in our port areas including approaches and adjacent coastal waters. Besides, a large number of oil tankers plying to and from the Gulf of Oman may. also pose a serious threat of oil pollution in our areas of interest. Collisions, groundings, transfer of oil cargos and bunkers are some of the major causes of oil pollution. Risk of oil pollution also exists from off shore petroleum exploration and production activities Such pollution can threaten recreational areas, sea birds, marine life, coastal installations and fisheries.
Pakistan in the initial years generally lacked the infrastructure to ensure damage control during oil spills. MV TASMAN SPIRIT carrying over 67,000 tonnes of crude oil, ran aground off Karachi Port on July 27, 2003 and spilled around 26,000 tonnes of oil
Pakistan in the initial years generally lacked the infrastructure to ensure damage control during oil spills. MV TASMAN SPIRIT carrying over 67,000 tonnes of crude oil, ran aground off Karachi Port on July 27, 2003 and spilled around 26,000 tonnes of oil. Ineffective and ill coordinated actions of government organizations lacking clear synergy led to the worst environmental disasters of the entire region. The Oil Slick destroyed millions of mangrove seedlings engulfed with thick black crude Oil and further shattered the fish resource causing irreparable loss to the country.
Moreover, Pakistan being a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) also has an obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment. In backdrop of these events a comprehensive plan was deliberated named as National Maritime Disaster Contingency Plan which provides viable operational organization with representation from all stakeholders; identifying high-risk areas along with priority for protection and clean-up of coastal areas including training of personnel and practical conduct of exercises to assess and improve preparedness.
To rehearse responses as per National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency conducts annual oil spill exercise, code named BARRACUDA, which provides all stakeholders a common platform to practice response mechanism. Case in point is aversion of oil spill from grounded MV HENG TONG i.v.o Clifton beach where implementation of National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan (NMDCP) ensured activation of Disaster Response Centre (DRC) including prompt and effective actions by all stake holders. PMSA has so far conducted 10 series of BARRACUDA Exercises. In last exercise of BARRACUDA series, 11 countries and 32 x national stake holders/ agencies participated in the exercise to broaden the spectrum and enhance regional cooperation.
The oil slick destroyed millions of mangrove seedlings engulfed with thick black crude Oil and further shattered the fish resource causing irreparable loss to the country.
The 11 edition of the exercise was scheduled, from 11 to 13 January 2022, whereby large number of international and national stakeholders will undertake joint drills to rehearse mechanism for preparedness against oil spill incidents.
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, being the only maritime law enforcement agency of the country is equipped with the state of the art & technologically advanced vessels to effectively handle any kind of eventuality at sea. PMSA not only undertakes SAR operations, anti-narcotics & anti-smuggling operations, anti-poaching operations and fishing regulations but also plays a paramount role while ensuring perseverance of marine environment.
Marine ecosystem is being monitored through regular patrolling of Marine Protected Areas, Control Boarding operations onboard merchant vessels to ensure compliance with international and national regulations, Port State Control Measures, continuous surveillance of harbour against any environmental hazard and through collaborative training & rehearsing response mechanism against any oil spill incidents.
Pakistan Rupee Exchange Rate