Mustafa Shafawi Channel NewsAsia 13 Apr 11;
SINGAPORE: A multi-agency exercise, showing Singapore's readiness to respond to major chemical spills, was carried out Wednesday, observed by over 60 delegates at the International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition.
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Group Director (Hub Port), Captain M Segar, said with the Straits of Malacca and Singapore being heavily used by vessels, it is essential to be operationally-ready in case of any major spills.
Code-named CHEMSPILL 2011, the scenario involved a chemical tanker, MT Chemical Carrier, suffering a steering failure and being hit by another tanker in the Sinki Fairway off Jurong Island.
The impact of the collision also caused three crew members of MT Chemical Carrier, who were on the catwalk to fall to the main deck.
More than 10 vessels and 120 personnel from 13 agencies were involved in the exercise.
The agencies included the Singapore Armed Forces, the Police Coast Guard, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport, the National Environment Agency and MPA.
The exercise was held in conjunction with the 6th Singapore Maritime Week.
- CNA/cc
CHEMSPILL 2011 validates Singapore's operational readiness
MPA Press Release 13 Apr 11;
Over 60 delegates from the International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition (ICOPCE) 2011 observed an action-packed chemical spill exercise today. The exercise demonstrated Singapore's readiness to respond to a major chemical spill in its waters.
Aimed at testing and validating the Chemical Contingency Plan (Marine) for combating a major chemical incident in Singapore waters, the exercise consisted of two aspects - a seaward equipment deployment demonstration and a table-top exercise at MPA's Port Operations Control Centre 2 at PSA Vista.
"With the Straits of Malacca and Singapore being heavily used by vessels, it is essential for us to be operationally-ready in case of any major spills. Regular exercises ensure that various agencies are prepared at all times and that our contingency plans are regularly reviewed. The multi-agency involvement in this chemical spill exercise is a good example of how close coordination allows Singapore to respond quickly and effectively to any spills in Singapore's waters," said Capt M Segar, MPA's Group Director (Hub Port).
Code-named CHEMSPILL 2011, the scenario involved a chemical tanker, MT Chemical Carrier suffering a steering failure and being hit by another tanker in the Sinki Fairway off Jurong Island. The chemical tanker, which was loaded with 10,000 tonnes of Benzene, suffered damage to its cargo tanks and some 500 tonnes of Benzene was spilled. The impact of the collision also caused three crew members of MT Chemical Carrier, who were on the catwalk to fall to the main deck. One crew member was seriously injured and required immediate medical attention.
The spill response teams deployed primary and secondary booms and treated the spill with foam to prevent more Benzene escaping from the damaged tanks. Api Api, MPA's fire-fighting craft also sprayed water at the incident site to reduce the risk of fire and cool the surface and disperse the flammable gas cloud. A Republic of Singapore Air Force helicopter was also activated to provide medical evacuation of the injured crew.
CHEMSPILL 2011 successfully demonstrated the close cooperation between various agencies in Singapore to combat major chemical spills in our waters. More than 10 vessels and 120 personnel from 13 agencies were involved in the exercise. The agencies included the Singapore Armed Forces, the Police Coast Guard, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport, the National Environment Agency and MPA.
Held in conjunction with the 6th Singapore Maritime Week, ICOPCE 2011 (11 to 13 April) was officially opened on 11 April by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport.
