Putting environmental safety to the test

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Moldova organised a site visit on 14 May, 2008, with experts from the State Ecological Inspections, local inspectors, experts of Environmental Monitoring Department of the State Hydrometeorological Service, members of National Group of implementation of UNECE Convention on Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, national experts and members of the ICPDR Expert Groups on Monitoring and Assessment and Flood Protection.

The Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP) lies on 120 hectares on the Lower Danube. The port can accommodate both inland and seagoing vessels with draughts up to 7 metres and can load or unload three different types of oil at a time. The port is the only direct sea or riverborne transhipment and distribution point to or from Moldova and is owned and operated by Danube Logistics SRL.

Construction on the oil terminal was completed in 2006, and the first oil delivery took place on 12 September, 2007. From the start of the project, there wasn’t much information available on the port, promoting criticism; particular from NGO’s working for the Danube Delta. Operation of oil ports requires the highest care possible, as accidents could have longterm effects.

A demonstration in security. To find out more about the port, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Moldova organised a Mission to inspect the facility and check safety measures. The mission included a site visit on 14 May, 2008. The mission team included experts from the State Ecological Inspections, local inspectors, experts of Environmental Monitoring Department of the State Hydrometeorological Service, members of National Group of implementation of UNECE Convention on Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, national experts and members of the ICPDR Expert Groups on Monitoring and Assessment and Flood Protection.

The goals of the mission, which included a presentation and site visit conducted by Port Director Edgar Martin, were to check the environmental security measures undertaken at the Giurgiulesti International Free Port by its administration and to assess the potential negative impact of the port activity to aquatic biodiversity, environment and the neighbouring countries.

At the site visit, Martin outlined the key environmental and oil spill response infrastructure and equipment and demonstrated the facilities and equipment. The mission team reported that “GIFP is a modern port facility with environmental protection, oil spill response and security procedures in place that meet international standards.”

Environmental safety. GIFP’s oil tank farm has two retention walls and a high density polyethylene underlay to prevent ground pollution. The state-of-the-art Wastewater Treatment Plant can process any polluted water or potentially polluted water (for example rainwater after a minor spill from a road vehicle). This is supported by an extensive drainage network throughout the facility leading to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Accidental spills from pipelines and on the jetty are prevented with metal trays and concrete troughs.

Oil spill response. Danube Logistics SRL has invested heavily in oil spill prevention and oil spill response equipment. The principal components of GIFP’s oil spill response equipment and procedures include an oil containment boom which is deployed for every laden maritime oil tanker the port receives. This is in accordance with Danube Commission recommendations, although not required by law. GIFP staff has been trained to deploy the boom to ensure it is at the correct angle for the current of the river flow and would collect oil in the extremely unlikely event of a spill.

In addition, the GIFP’s oil spill prevention equipment includes a skimmer system, oil absorbent boom, oil absorbent pads and comprehensive oil spill kits located throughout the oil terminal.

Training. Port workers receive comprehensive training with the oil boom and other oil spill response equipment, provided by an independent Danish Oil Spill Response Equipment training company on behalf of the manufacturer, and further oil boom deployment training by international specialists. In addition, at least two oil spill prevention and response training courses recognised by International Maritime Organisations is provided to staff annually. Fire fighting and first aid training has also been provided to all staff.

Emergency response. GIFP has signed a contract with Seacor Environmental Services of the USA to provide “Tier 3” oil spill response services. In the exceptionally unlikely event of a major oil spill, Seacor will respond from their Black Sea base rapidly on behalf of Danube Logistics. Seacor is one of three such companies worldwide and has similar contracts with several oil majors.

GIFP‘s Emergency Response Plan is based on International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals guidelines, as are most of GIFP’s internal procedures. GIFP is fully compliant with the International Maritime Organisation‘s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and has a Port Facility Security Plan approved by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Moldova.

Svetlana Stirbu is a Member of Monitoring and Assessments Expert
Group and Accident Prevention Task Group of the ICPDR, and Secretary
of the National Working Group for the implementation of UNECE
Convention on Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents in the
Republic of Moldova.

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