ITOPF visits EMSA in Lisbon, Portugal

ITOPF visited the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Lisbon for an information and ideas exchange where the organisation explained its role in pollution incidents and gave a summary of the technical advice it has provided in recent cases.

Further talks were given on how ITOPF is preparing for the rise in use of alternate fuels in shipping, as well as the role it takes in incidents involving Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) and some of the challenges encountered in response to spills of plastic pellets.
 
ITOPF gave a focus to the important work it is doing to map, model and monitor pollution incidents and how it has provided services to assess costs and claims for resources used in past incidents.
 
EMSA in turn presented updates to its pollution Equipment Assistance Service and Network of Standby Oil Spill Response Vessels, its research into alternate fuels and HNS, and the use of CleanSeaNet. EMSA also showcased its Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Earth Observation Satellites in pollution prevention and preparedness.
 
The visit concluded with a discussion of opportunities to continue this engagement and develop the relationship between the two organisations.