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Oil spill response in ports (collection of cases studies)



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Oil spill response in ports (collection of cases studies)


This section discusses in-depth the organizational structure of oil spill response in and around ports. The organization structure for oil spill response in the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam is presented from two levels. Firstly, an overview of the response national and regional authorities is given. Secondly, the problem of oil spills is presented from a local, port perspective.

Oil spill response of Belgian authorities in/around the port of Antwerp


This section gives an overview of the response of Belgian authorities with regard to oil spills. Firstly, details regarding national organizational matters are addressed. Emergency response plans, responsible authorities and intervention action are presented from a federal perspective. Regarding emergency interventions, a distinction between ‘sea’ and ‘land’ needs to be made. Secondly, looking from the organization scheme, the involved parties, the equipment used and the way the financial matters are handled are discussed in-depth. This overview is put forward from the perspective of authorities responsible for oil spills reported at the port of Antwerp.
      1. National organizational framework (the case of emergency interventions)


The organization structure of public authorities in Belgium follows a pyramidal scheme. The first level is represented by municipalities. The municipal authorities take responsibility of events that happen at local level. The second layer of responsibility is represented by provincial authorities which covers predefined geographical regions. Thirdly, the federal level takes the organizational responsibility of the entire country.

The Counter-Pollution Manual3 describes the national organization structure of Belgium in case of pollution at sea. For oil spills that affect several regions, the intervention teams must follow the general emergency intervention plan. The territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone of Belgium are presented in Figure 5. Moreover, the Bonn agreement coverage is also illustrated.

As seen in Figure 5, the area of Belgian authorities’ responsibility overlaps completely with the zone empowered by the Bonn agreement. Moreover, it is also one of the quick response zones stipulated in the Bonn agreement, therefore in the eventuality of an urgent pollution threat, it gives authority to each of the parties to intervene.

Belgian authorities have not developed a specific intervention plan specially dedicated to oil spills intervention. In case of a catastrophic event, the national contingency plan for the North Sea ("General Emergency and Intervention (GEI) Plan North Sea") is activated. The GEI Plan North Sea describes the organisation of an overall, multidisciplinary response structure to the various emergency situations and incidents that may happen at sea and which require a coordination or management from Belgian authorities, such as: maritime emergencies, Save And Rescue (SAR) and medical evacuations, marine pollution (oil or other harmful substances), incidents in windmill farms, etc. The Governor of West‐Flanders acts as the coordinator of the GEI Plan North Sea.

Figure 5. Belgian exclusive economic zone and territorial sea.



Source: (“Werkingsgebied | Kustwacht,” n.d.)



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