Response to Marine Oil Spills

The primary objectives of a rapid response to oil spills are a return to normal activity as quickly as possible and minimization of the risk of oil contaminating environmentally or aesthetically important areas. Since its establishment in 1968, ITOPF has responded to several hundred shipping incidents worldwide providing objective technical advice on clean-up measures, environmental and economic effects, and compensation. ITOPF has also provided remote advice at numerous other incidents. The incidents have involved crude oil from tankers and bunker fuel, chemicals and bulk cargoes from all types of ship. Advice is also occasionally given about potential oil spills from other sources, including pipelines and offshore installations, and physical damage to coral reefs resulting from ship groundings. The first-hand experience of ITOPF s staff, gained through direct involvement in pollution incidents, is utilized during damage assessment, contingency planning and training assignments, as well as in the production of technical publications.