ICOPCE 2019 event opens to over 250 participants from 18 countries

The International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition (ICOPCE) 2019 opened to over 250 industry professionals from 18 countries on Tuesday (22 October).

Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the biennial event from 21 to 24 October 2019 comprises a pre-conference workshop, a two-day conference and a post-conference chemical spill exercise.

Focusing on marine pollution management strategies, ICOPCE 2019 brings together stakeholders from various government agencies and port, bunkering, petrochemicals, shipping, protection and indemnity, salvage and wreck, legal and technology companies.

The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of MPA.

“Today, I am heartened to see so many of you possessing a strong interest in protecting our marine environment against chemical and oil pollution,” said Niam in his opening speech.

“While, in Singapore, we have noted a decline in the number of oil spill incidents resulting from marine accidents, there has been an upward trend in the number of operational spills during bunkering over the past few years.

“Contrary to common perception, bulk carriers and container vessels contribute to such pollution incidents more than tankers do. 

“As such, we all play a significant role in chemical and oil spill prevention and response. Besides managing the downstream consequences of spills, we need to promote greater awareness of upstream means to prevent spills in the first place. This involves enhancing awareness, promoting a culture of responsibility, and deploying technology to prevent spills along the entire supply chain.”

Niam said Singapore maintains and develops strong inter-agency partnerships in the region to mitigate regional pollution risks.

As part of the bilateral cooperation programme under the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment, both countries regularly conduct joint exercises to test the Joint Emergency Response Plan for Chemical Incidents in the East Johor Strait. 

“In addition, Singapore, together with Malaysia and Indonesia, are members of the Revolving Fund Committee. The committee meets annually to discuss issues relating to oil spills and update the standard operating procedures for Joint Oil Spill Combat in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore,” he shared.

“Singapore is also a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response. We have contributed actively to regional response capabilities by sharing Singapore’s management strategies for oil spill incidents at the first ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan Committee Meeting in August this year.  

“On the international front, Singapore is party to all six Annexes of the MARPOL Convention. Through effective regulation and enforcement of MARPOL standards, we minimise the pollution risks of Singapore-registered ships around the world and vessels calling at our port.”

Moving forward, he notes Singapore lies along one of the busiest shipping route in the world.

“This makes us vulnerable to oil and chemical pollution. As such, we must not only embrace technological innovations that strengthen incident prevention and response, but also foster strong regional partnerships in driving marine sustainability,” he concludes.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 23 October, 2019