Shipping Min to use cess for lessening oil pollution at ports

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

31 Aug 2010

The Ministry of Shipping is devising a scheme for utilising the oil cess being collected by the Ports for providing assistance for mitigating oil pollution at the ports. The 12th Meeting of Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) was held today in Chennai, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Shipping, G K Vasan.
It was agreed that Maritime States would prepare an Oil Spill Contingency Plan. While Coast Guard is equipped and responsible to handle oil spills of significant magnitude, all ports may prepare themselves for addressing smaller spills preferably through contracts with agencies which have the expertise in oil spill response mechanism, it said.
Regarding prevention of environmental hazards and handling of hazardous goods in the Port areas, it was agreed that guidelines will be issued to Major Ports and State Maritime Boards or States to ensure safe and prompt handling of hazardous chemicals or goods.
Keeping in view the security aspect at various ports, it was agreed that Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) will be installed in all the Ports which have not yet been covered.
It was agreed that the Ministry of Shipping would formulate a policy on Coastal Shipping in consultation with the Maritime States for giving adequate incentives to promote coastal shipping.

Source: PTI