Northwest Pacific Action Plan
Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response
Regional Activity Centre
Adoption of the NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill
Contingency Plan and its MoU
Greetings from the Director of MERRAC, Chang-Gu Kang
As the Director of
Area of one or more of the NOWPAP Members.
MERRAC, I am very
I sincerely thank the NOWPAP Members, the
pleased to inform you of
United National Environment Programme
the news that the
(UNEP) and the International Marine
NOWPAP Regional Oil
Organization (IMO) for their many
Spill Contingency Plan
contributions and support for development and
and its Memorandum of
adoption of the Plan and MoU.
Understanding (MoU)
MERRAC is the entity responsible for the
were finally adopted at
administration and co-ordination of the
the 8th Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) of
NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan
NOWPAP on 5-7 November 2003 in Sanya, the
in co-operation with national component
People's Republic of China. As one of the most
authorities. As the body responsible for the
important designated tasks for MERRAC, the
administration of the Plan, the Centre will keep
texts of the Plan and MoU have been developed
the Plan up-to-date by receiving and distributing
through several Experts Meetings and
changes submitted by the Members. In order to
NOWPAP MERRAC Focal Points Meetings of
enhance marine pollution preparedness and
the NOWPAP members, since the First Meeting
response and improve regional co-operation,
of NOWPAP Forum on Marine Pollution
MERRAC also prepares the joint exercise to
Preparedness and Response was held in 1997.
increase multilateral assistance based on the
The drafts were submitted to the 5th NOWPAP
Regional Contingency Plan. Through such
MERRAC Focal Points Meeting in May 2002
activities, MERRAC will build a pratically
and then forwarded to the 8th NOWPAP IGM
strong partnership and harmoniously carry out
and formally adopted by the governments of
assistance and co-operation among NOWPAP
four NOWPAP Members.
Members in the field of marine pollution
At last, we have opened the second phase in
preparedness and response.
building a regional co-operative system on
Thank you.
marine pollution preparedness and response in
the NOWPAP region. This is a valuable
NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill
technical guideline for regional co-operation in
Contingency Plan
the field of marine pollution and an operational
mechanism for mutual assistance on marine
Since the First Meeting of the NOWPAP
pollution preparedness and response in the
Forum on Marine Pollution Preparedness and
NOWPAP area. I believe that, through the Plan
Response was held in 1997, NOWPAP
and MoU, NOWPAP Members can co-operate
Members have developed the draft NOWPAP
more efficiently one another in order to co-
Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan, whose
ordinate and organize prompt and effective
purpose is to provide a framework under which
No. 3
response to marine oil pollution incidents,
NOWPAP Members may co-operate at the
which affect or seem likely to affect the Action
operational level in responding to oil spill
February 2004
NOWPAP MERRAC 1

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incidents. The overall objective of the
and which exceed the response capability
Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan was
Plan is to provide an operational
of a national government and the
also adopted. The MERRAC was
mechanism for mutual assistance through
resources available to it. As the Plan has
designated as the Secretariat responsible
which the Members will co-operate in
been accepted by the 8th IGM held in
for the administration and co-ordination of
order to co-ordinate and integrate their
November 2003, it will act as "the bible"
the NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill
response to marine oil pollution incidents,
in the field of marine pollution
Contingency Plan in co-operation with
which affect or seem likely to affect the
preparedness and response in the
national component authorities.
area of responsibility or the area of
NOWPAP region. At the same meeting,
interest of one or more of the countries
MoU for implementing the NOWPAP
6th NOWPAP MERRAC Focal Points Meeting
The 6th NOWPAP MERRAC
Focal Points Meeting was held
on 1-4 September 2003 in
MERRAC (Daejeon). The
meeting reviewed the progress
made for each of the tasks agreed
at the 5th MERRAC Focal Points
Meeting, and the drafts for the
annexes to the Draft NOWPAP
Regional Oil Spill Contingency
Plan. Also, the meeting discussed
the MERRAC workplan,
activities, budget, and timetable
for the 2004/2005 Biennium. The
results have been submitted to
the 8th IGM. At the meeting, an
expert from Centre of
Documentation, Research and
Experimentation on Accidental
Water Pollution (CEDRE) was specially
operation, damage on environment and
the meeting, MERRAC and CEDRE
invited to cover the Prestige accident (and
industries, actions being taken or to be
(France) exchanged a Letter of Intent to
Erika accident), and he explained the
taken by the relevant parties and lead a
relay technical information available on
processes of the accident including the
discussion about what co-operative
incidents occurring in the region, to
accidental situation, spill assessment,
actions should be taken at the regional
nominate a counterpart and to have a
response and salvage operation,
level in order to prevent and prepare for
meeting to discuss our co-operation in the
international co-operation during response
any similar accidents in this region. After
future.
2003 NOWPAP Regional OPRC Training Course
(IMO Level 2 course)
The MERRAC Focal Points agreed to
A total of 28 trainees, who represented
training course.
organize once again the NOWPAP
national authorities and agencies
The training course is prepared in
Regional OPRC Training Course (IMO
responsible for accidental marine pollution
accordance with the programme of the
Level 2 Course) at the 6th NOWPAP
preparedness and response, attended,
IMO OPRC Level 2 Training Course, with
MERRAC Focal Points Meeting in same
including 3 from the People's Republic of
the technical support from the IMO. The
manner as the 2002 training course. The
China, 11 from Japan, 5 from the Republic
lecturers for the course were Mr. John
NOWPAP Regional OPRC Training
of Korea and 6 from the Russian
Ostergaard of IMO, Dr. Brian Dicks of the
Course was held in Shimonoseki, Japan
Federation. MERRAC and the Government
International Tanker Owners Pollution
from 10-14 November 2003.
of Japan provided the total costs of the
Federation (ITOPF), Capt. Patrick Ooi of
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NOWPAP MERRAC

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the East Asia Response Pte.
Ltd. (EARL) and Mr. Joe
Nichols of the International
Oil Pollution Compensation
(IOPC) Funds and they
provided information on
issues related to national and
regional oil spill
preparedness, response and
co-operation.
To increase the
participants' knowledge on
practical oil spill response and
the use of equipment, Japan
Coast Guard (JCG) organized
two technical tours during the
course. The first tour included
a visit to the multiple purpose
vessel, KAISHO MARU, the
on Thursday afternoon and Friday
exercises at the Level 2 course.
newest of three oil spill response vessels
morning. The exercises addressed most of
Although the status of oil spill
and then to the Vessel Traffic Control
the issues covered by the course. The
preparedness within the countries of the
Centre for the Kanmo Strait (Kanmo
participants had a good chance to create a
NOWPAP region is considered, the
Kaikyo). The second tour included a
lot of activities and discussions and to
training course illustrated that there is a
presentation of local oil spill response
experience and learn the practical and
need for additional training at the regional
equipment under the Japan Disaster and
operational manner of response and
level and probably also at the national
Pollution Prevention Administration and a
preparedness on oil spill accidents.
level, in order to maintain the positive
detailed explanation of the operations of
The participants of the training course
developments and momentum created by
the two authorities.
were fully satisfied with the course,
the development and adoption of the
The standard Level 2 Table-top exercises
especially the Table-top exercise. It is
NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill Contingency
prepared and developed by IMO were held
recommended to include several kinds of
Plan.
8th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting
Dr. Chang-Gu Kang,
for NOWPAP, it was
Director of MERRAC
reported that the
and Dr. Seong-Gil
Government of Japan
Kang, Senior
and the Executive
Consultant attended
Director of UNEP
the 8th NOWPAP IGM
signed the Host
held in Sanya, the
Country Agreement
People's Republic of
(HCA) for the Toyama
China, 5-7 November
Office and that
2003, where they
negotiations on the
reported on the
HCA with the
activities of MERRAC
Republic of Korea are
during 2002/2003 and
at a final stage. UNEP
submitted to the
is ready to start with
meeting the NOWPAP
the official recruitment
Regional Oil Spill
of the staff for the
Contingency Plan and the related MoU for
the workplan and budget of NOWPAP for
RCU but have to wait for final agreement
its final approval. The meeting approved
2004-2005, including US$150,000 for the
on both HCAs.
the Contingency Plan and MOU after long
MERRAC activities. For the establishment
consideration. The meeting also approved
of a Regional Co-ordinating Unit (RCU)
NOWPAP MERRAC 3

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Participation in the PEMSEA
Upon the request of IMO, Dr. Chang-
East Asian Seas Congress 2003, held in
presented a paper regarding the activities
Gu Kang and Dr. Seong-Gil Kang of
Putrajaya, Malaysia, 8-12 December 2003,
of MERRAC.
MERRAC participated in the PEMSEA's
organized by GEF/UNDP/IMO and
NOWPAP MERRAC 4 Specific Projects
In line with the agreement of the 5th
member states, who have profound
detail regarding the achievements and
MERRAC Focal Points Meeting,
professionalism in their respective fields.
recommendations made by these projects.
MERRAC have organized the four expert
MERRAC completed the MoUs between
These projects will be expected to give the
groups with recommendation from each
MERRAC and the institution/organization
improved remedial response to oil spills
national focal point for MERRAC, which
of leading expert for each Expert Group.
through the guidelines and procedures for
would technically carry out each of the
The draft report of NOWPAP MERRAC 4
the use of dispersants and shoreline clean-
projects 1) Oil Spill Prediction Model (lead
Specific Projects has already been finalized
up, and effective management and
country: Korea)2) Sensitivity Mapping
and circulated to the MERRAC Focal
protection of the sensitive area to oil spills
(Japan) 3) Oil Dispersant (Russia) and 4)
Points for their review. At the 7th
through the oil spill prediction model and
Shoreline Clean-up (China). The Expert
MERRAC Focal Points Meeting to be held
sensitive map.
Group was composed of experts from the
in May 2004, the drafts will be reviewed in
News from NOWPAP countries
China - Recent Activities against Oil Spill
1. Shanghai International Maritime
industry through mutual efforts.
program focusing on the response tactics.
Forum, 2003
This provides basic information on the
2. Training and education
status of vessels carrying noxious
On 17 November 2003, China Maritime
substances, major types of cargo and
Safety Administration (MSA) hosted the
From 22-26 September 2003, China MSA
shipping routes, as well as on the response
International Maritime Forum in Shanghai.
conducted "Training Course on Oil Pollution
measures. Meanwhile, it has also laid a
More than 200 guests from governmental
Preparedness and Response for Supervisors
foundation in the prevention and control
organizations home and abroad, foreign
and On-scene Commanders" in collaboration
over the typical aspects.
embassy and consulate in China, shipping
with EARL (Singapore). Over 30
industry, cargo owner, classification
participants from three major oil companies
4. Oil spill response exercise at sea
societies, P&I Club, research institutes and
of CNOOC QHD32-6 OPERATING
other organizations attended the forum,
COMPANY, CACT OPERATING
On 25 September 2003, China MSA
amongst these, 9 experts delivered special
GROUP, CNOCO PHILLIPS CHINA and
and the local government jointly
reports. In the speech made by Mr. Liu
those from local maritime safety agencies
conducted a special response exercise to
Gongchen, Director General of China
attended the course.
simulate oil spill caused by the collision
MSA, he introduced Chinese policies in
accident of an oil tanker at sea in Tianjin.
the reinforcement of supervision and
3. Study and research on response
The spill was soon brought under control
control for ship safety and prevention of
strategies to pollution accidents
before spreading, after activation of the
marine pollution. He also pointed out that
"Tianjin Marine Contingency Plan" based
vessels carrying crude oil and liquefied gas
In recent years, with the increasing bulk
on the assessment of oil movement and
should be strictly in compliance with
carriage of noxious cargo onboard, there
trajectory by the "Forecast System for Oil
Chinese law, regulations and relevant
has been a rise in the number of pollution
Spill". During the exercise, 9 vessels,
international conventions, urging that all
accidents. In an effort to effectively
200m containment booms, 5 sets of
those concerned should keep in touch and
prevent and reduce damage caused by
skimmers and 2 sets of dispersant
co-operate with each other,so as to ensure
such substance to the environment, China
spraying devices were mobilized. The
a sustainable development for the shipping
MSA carried out a special research
exercise achieved the expected results.
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NOWPAP MERRAC

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Japan - Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in Japan
(MDPC) was established in 1976 with a
into high gear in a couple of years.
capital subscription by the Government
Therefore, in line with the progress of the
under the Law as a core private
project, we have taken various measures
organization to perform marine disaster
against possible oil pollution accidents
prevention services, such as recovery of
including amendments to the regional
spilt oil. In the event of an oil spill accident,
contingency plan for Hokkaido, which is
the MDPC implements disaster prevention
closest to Sakhalin and maybe affected
measures necessary to remove fuel oil,
mostly, such as,adding the countermeasures
cargo oil and other noxious liquid
against oil spill accidents of the Sakhalin
Mr. Tamaki Murakami,
substances under the consignment from the
Project, to the regional contingency plan
Director,
owner of a ship involved in the accident or
arrangement of oil recovery equipment.
Marine Environment Protection & Disaster
under the instruction of the Commandant of
Plans also include the setting of
Prevention Division,
the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).
corresponding points between Japan and the
Japan Coast Guard, Japan
Meanwhile, the Japanese National
Russian Federation and conducting the
Contingency Plan for Oil Pollution
Joint Simulation Exercise and the Joint Oil
In Japan, oil polluters should bear the
Preparedness and Response (NCP) was
Combating Exercise between Japan and the
expense of carrying out preventive
formulated by the momentum of accession
Russian Federation.
measures against pollution in order to
of the OPRC in 1995 to establish a
Furthermore, when an oil spill accident
ensure the environment to be in an
framework for oil pollution preparedness
or ship stranding occurs other than oil
acceptable state, which is a part of the
and response systematically. Due to the
tankers, some shipowners tend to escape
Polluter Pays Principle that has been strictly
NCP, the co-operation among ministries
their liability to remove discharged oil or
applied to all oil pollution incidents. To
and agencies is strengthened and this has
wrecks and these cases have been
this end, the duties of the master of a ship
resulted in a morecomprehensive response
increasing recently. Therefore, to solve this
and the owner of the ship who have
to major oil spill incident in or around
problem, the Japanese Government is now
committed an oil discharge are prescribed
Japan. Moreover, the meeting among the
examining the introduction of new policies,
in the Law Relating to the Prevention of
national government agencies for Oil
which oblige ships to be insured for the cost
Marine Pollution and Maritime Disaster
Pollution Preparedness and Response
of recovery of discharged oil and removal
(hereafter referred to as "the Law").
(hereafter referred to as "the Meeting") was
of the wreck and ban ships without
Inconcrete terms, in order to prevent oil
established under the NCP. Information is
insurance from entering into Japanese ports.
spill incidents, ships larger than the specific
exchanged at the Meeting not only in a time
In this manner, the JCG as a government
tonnage are required to carry an oil
of disaster but throughout. If a huge oil spill
agency and the MDPC as a private agency
pollution emergency plan as well as an oil
accident occurs, national government
play a central role in Oil Pollution
pollution supervisor on board. The owner of
agencies will hold the Meeting to exchange
Preparedness and Response. An oil
an oil tanker and the owner of an oil
the first stage of information and co-
combating system of Japan is also being
handling facility are required to arrange oil
ordinate their emergency countermeasures.
established in Japan by the JCG and the
recovery equipment such as booms, oil
The National Government will establish the
MDPC in co-operation with other related
dispersants and oil recovery vessels. Also,
Disaster Countermeasure Headquarters to
government agencies.
in the case of an oil spill accident, the
effectively promote the co-ordination of
Finally, I would like to note that
master of a ship and the manager of an oil
emergency countermeasures in light of the
appropriate mutual co-operation with
handling facility are obliged not only to
scale of the incident and the extent of the
neighbouring states is indispensable in the
report the accident to the nearest coast
damaged area if necessary.
case of a large-scale oil spill accident. In
guard station, but are also under obligation
Crude oil exploitation projects called
this sense, I believe that activities in
to take emergency measures in order to
"SAKHALIN ·
Project" and
MERRAC are extremely important and
prevent the spreading of the discharged oil
"SAKHALIN ·± Project" are now
useful for all NOWPAP members and
and to take the necessary measures to
proceeding off the Northeast coast of
Japan will continue to actively participate
remove the discharged oil. In addition, the
Sakhalin Island, in the Russian Federation.
in those activities.
Maritime Disaster Prevention Center
Crude oil production is expected to move
Korea - Prompt Initial Response against Oil Spill Accident by Collision
At around 03:00 a.m. on 23 December
Yosu port located at the southern part of
Panama) entering in the port on the sea
2003, the tanker ship, Jeong Yang (4,061
Korea collided with the tanker ship, Seung
about 300 m off the Nakpo Pier of Yosu
tons, port of registration-Pusan) leaving the
Hae (5,914 tons, port of registration-
city, south coast of the Republic of Korea.
NOWPAP MERRAC 5

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WELCOME
MERRAC greets new
MERRAC Focal Points of
China, Japan and Korea
Mr. Hailiang E, Mr. Tamaki MURAKAMI and
Mr. Doo-Ho KIM were named the new
MERRAC Focal Points for the People's
Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea,
respectively. MERRAC sincerely welcomes Mr.
E, Mr. Murakami and Mr. Kim and express our
sincere thanks to their predecessors, Mr. Enhong
LI (the People's Republic of China), Mr.
Matsuhiro ITO (Japan) and Mr. Wan-Sub LEE
(the Republic of Korea) for their invaluable
supports and many contributions to MERRAC
activities. The updated list of the National Focal
Points for MERRAC is as follows:
People's Republic of China:
Mr. Hailiang E
By collision, a hole (5m width x 4m height)
skimmers. The Oil Corporation and Korea
Deputy Director, Department of Ship Safety and
was created in part of the fourth tank on the
Marine Pollution Response Corporation
Pollution Prevention
left side of the hull of the Jeong Yang and
(KMPRC) enclosed the accident tanker
China Maritime Safety Administration
around 623 tons of Bunker C fuel oil leaked
with oil boom. The remaining oil from the
People's Republic of China
into the ocean. In the initial stage, an Oil
broken tanks and spilt oil was recovered.
Japan:
Corporation near the accident location
KMPRC collected about 300 kl of the spilt
Mr. Tamaki MURAKAMI
carried out prompt prevention and respond,
oil including seawater with two oil
Director, Marine Environment Protection and
resulting in fencing and piling up five
skimmers into the oil fence around incident
Disaster Prevention Division
Guard and Rescue Department
groups of thick oil sheets of the spilled oil
area. About 751 kl of the spilt oil in front
Japan Coast Guard, Japan
using oil fencing around the Product Pier of
of the Oil Corporation was collected by
the Oil Corporation. Thin oil slicks exist on
KMPRC and five private corporations with
Republic of Korea
the sea from Myodo to Yosu. Part of the
dredging vessels. Private corporations and
Mr. Doo-Ho KIM
Director, Maritime Pollution Response
coastline of Myodo (about 3.5 km) and 17
residents helped to collect the detected oil
Division
villages of the Namhaedo (about 10 km) are
along the affected coastline.
Korea National Maritime Police Agency
sparsely polluted with oil.
Although they did not reacted quickly
Republic of Korea
Response activities were conducted by
enough to mobilize equipment, such as
Yosu Maritime Police Station, four
dredging vessels or vessels with a built-in
Russian Federation:
Mr. Vladimir KAREV
agencies involved Yosu government
power shovel (to collect solidified spilled
Director, State Marine Pollution Control Salvage
authorities, one organization and eight
oil as low temperature), they could
& Rescue Administration (MPCSA)
private corporations. They mobilized a
minimize the environment damage by
Ministry of Transport
total of 3,967 persons, 454 clean-up vessels,
prompt and successful initial response and
Russia Federation
a 5,610 m long oil fence and 11 oil
prevention.
Announcement
Welcome to the third issue of the NOWPAP MERRAC
Newsletter!
Northwest Pacific Action Plan
This newsletter is published every year and is distributed free
Marine Environmental Preparedness and Response
of charge. For additional copies, or if you would like to be
Regional Activity Centre
placed on our mailing list, please contact MERRAC at the
following address: nowpap@kriso.re.kr.
Established at
Alternatively, should you wish to have more information
P.O. Box 23, Yuseong, Daejeon, 305-600, Republic of Korea
about our activities or have information that you would like to
Tel : +82 42 868 7281
disseminate to the experts and relevant authorities of the
Fax : +82 42 868 7738
NOWPAP countries, please contact MERRAC.
E-mail : nowpap@kriso.re.kr
Suggestions are also welcome, simply e-mail us.
Website : http://merrac.nowpap.org
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NOWPAP MERRAC

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