Spill Notification Point

Competent National Authority

Response Arrangements

Lebanon has no National Contingency Plan and will request the support of REMPEC/IMO to support activities for the development of the NCP which would cover both oil and HNS (information current May 2011).

Response Policy

The response policy of the Lebanese authorities is not known. However, the resources available suggest a dispersant based response is a primary option.

Equipment

Government

Small amounts of dispersant spraying equipment and dispersant are held at the larger ports.

Private

Oil terminals are equipped to tackle minor oil spillages. Five private response companies exist in Lebanon and tugs are available from the private sector in each port. 

Previous Spill Experience

Small spills have occurred at the major terminals, the largest being GATAPETROL (1976) where 1100 tonnes of white product were spilt in Beirut.  In July 2006 an estimated 15,000 tonnes of fuel oil was spilled from a tank farm at the Jieh power station south of Beirut during hostilities. 

Hazardous & Noxious Substances

HNS incidents would fall under the same jurisdiction as oil spills.  Lebanon currently has no contingency plan in place for HNS. There is some knowledge of HNS issues at the National Scientific Research Centre of the Ministry of Energy and Water.  No specialised HNS response PPE or monitoring equipment is available.  Lebanon has only experienced minor HNS incidents.

Compensation

* not yet in force

Regional & Bilateral Agreements

• Barcelona Convention (with states bordering the Mediterranean)

For further information see REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea) Country Profile (http://www.rempec.org/country.asp?cid=11&IDS=2_1&daNme=General%20Information&openNum=1)

Date of issue: May 2011