The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has approved Monjasa, a leading global supplier in all aspects of marine fuel oil to ship-owners, charterers and operators, as the dedicated Oil Spill Responder (OSR) for Tier 2 and 3 spills in Dubai’s anchorages and offshore waters. 

As the dedicated OSR for Dubai, Monjasa will keep a vessel on standby 24/7 for immediate response to major offshore spills, said a statement.

Additionally, it will be on call to support port spill response and incidences of major spills in other emirates, it said.

The OSR contracted services will be implemented over the next six months. This is another public-private partnership developed in consultation with Dubai’s bunker and STS services provider including Shell, FenderCare, and SPT.

The OSR ship has a storage capacity of 3,000 tonnes and is to be outfitted with high capacity collection oil skimmers, large open ocean pneumatic containment booms, and an additional 20,000 tonnes of back-up storage.

Amer Ali, executive director, DMCA, said: “We are delighted to sign an agreement with a leading international company such as Monjasa to promote effective and immediate response to oil spills within Dubai’s regional waters. This step is of great importance as it supports the DMCA’s and the UAE’s efforts to manage maritime operations based on the highest standards of maritime safety.

“This is also a proven model for response and in line with global best management practices, and relevant local and international regulations. The Public Private Partnership is a proactive approach to the risks posed by shipping and will complement the efforts of both Dubai and the UAE to protect the maritime sector and promote sustainable maritime economic development in Dubai.”

Presentations have been made to local and federal officials as the ship will be available to be integrated into the formal command structure to protect Dubai and the other emirates, said the statement.

The OSR is a not-for-profit subsidiary of Monjasa and is established solely to mitigate damages to the environment in the event of a major oil spill. The ship will also respond to vessels in need of rapid cargo transfers due to accidents and damage, it added. - TradeArabia News Service