MbPT to upgrade its oil spill contingency plan for Mumbai and JNPT

Following the devastating oil spill in Mauritius, called the country’s worst ecological disaster, authorities in Mumbai are also looking at preparing and upgrading

Following the devastating oil spill in Mauritius, called the country’s worst ecological disaster, authorities in Mumbai are also looking at preparing and upgrading a comprehensive oil spill contingency plan that can be put into effect, in case of an emergency in the city.

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The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), which owns the eastern waterfront area in Mumbai, has floated a tender to appoint an agency to create a Tier-1 oil spill response facility for Mumbai and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) harbour.

According to the tender details accessed by HT, the consultant will be asked to carry out a quality risk assessment of oil spill, assess the oil spill trajectory in the worst-case scenario given different weather and sea conditions, carry out sensitivity mapping of the areas most likely to be affected, do a gap analysis of the required and available sources among various other parameters.

The consultant will also be asked to prepare a contingency plan with the specific role and functions of the agencies involved.

Captain Bhabatosh Chand, deputy conservator, head of marine department, MbPT, said, “We have a plan in place in case of an oil spill for the past five years. As the contract is ending, we are looking for a new agency. We are looking to upgrade it [the plan] and looking at new technology. A ready plan will aid us to control the situation in case of an emergency.”

Recently, a Japanese bulk carrier ran aground on a reef on the south-east coast of Mauritius. MV Wakashio struck a coral reef on July 25, spilling about 1,000 tonnes of fuel and endangering corals, fish and other marine life in what some scientists have called the country’s worst ecological disaster.

India has also sent equipment and personnel to help Mauritius contain the oil spill.