Panama plans prevention as well as cure

The new and important acronym PCSOPEP is about to join the shipowners lexicon. But the Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan which comes into effect tomorrow has so far received little international focus. Shipping consultant Maria Dixon deals with the key questions- Friday December 31 2004

In terms of spill prevention and containment, the Panama Canal has an excellent record. During its 90-year life span, there have been no major oil spills involving transiting vessels.

All the same, the canal authorities are taking no chances, and a spill in the Suez Canal a short time ago was a reminder of the ever-present danger on an international scale.

Our research indicates that during the last 26 years, about nine incidents at the Panama Canal have resulted in oil spills, all considered minor incidents in terms of quantity of oil lost.

For instance, some four years ago it was reported that Panama Canal specialists successfully collected nearly all of the 100 barrels of crude (10,000 gallons) spilled by the Greek-registered panamax, Neapolis, while passing through Pedro Miguel Locks.

During the cleaning exercise, transiting operations at the canal were not interrupted, with only a few hours’ delay at the lock itself. Canal operations people had no difficulty in containing the spill or preventing it from reaching the neighbouring areas or the open sea.

Our research indicates that about 85% of all transits through the Panama Canal will have to comply with the plan.

What is a PCSOPEP?
The objective of the Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan is to implement an emergency preparedness strategy for Panama Canal waters, thereby minimising the consequences of any spills and emergencies by safeguarding life, reducing the impact on the environment, and ensuring the continuous operation of the canal.

The Regulations on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters state that vessels shall have the primary responsibility of implementing the PCSOPEP and participating in the response.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has established a preparedness programme for oil spill emergencies in its waters. In the response sequence to an oil spill, the activation of the plan is the responsibility of the vessel. Besides actions taken by the vessel, the ACP will respond in accordance with the canal’s Incident Management System.

Which ships will be affected?
The plan will apply to toll-paying vessels transiting the Panama Canal with a 400 tonnes or more carrying capacity of oil as cargo and/or fuel. The carrying capacity is equal to that of the sum of the capacities of all oil cargo tanks and fuel tanks.

How is the Panama Canal prepared in case of any oil spill?
For the purpose of oil spill response planning, Panama Canal waters have been divided into three main response areas:

• the Pacific Anchorage and Channel Area;

• the Lake areas; and

• the Atlantic Anchorage and Channel Area.

Both the Pacific and Atlantic areas are saltwater bodies of the canal, whereas the lakes are freshwater bodies. As such, the specifications required for equipment and response strategies differ for each area.

The authority has obtained additional equipment in sufficient quantities, through acquisition or contracting, and placed it in strategic locations along the waterway.

How will the vessels be classified once they submit their PCSOPEP to the ACP for verification?
Vessels will be classified as follows:

• Tier S for vessels with an oil-carrying capacity of 400 tonnes up to 1,000 tonnes.

• Tier 1 for vessels with an oil carrying capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes up to 7,000 tonnes.

• Tier 1 and Tier 2 for vessels with an oil-carrying capacity of more than 7,000 tonnes up to 15,000 tonnes.

• Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 for vessels with an oil carrying capacity of more than 15,000 tonnes.

What other documents will vessels need to submit?
Together with the application there must be:

• a copy of the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP); and

• a copy of the Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, prepared specifically for the vessel.

• Additionally, either a copy of the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP), Annex I, Marpol;

• or a copy of the Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP), Annex II, Marpol, if requested.

How should the shipowner prepare the emergency plan ?
The PCSOPEP is a unique plan that has to be prepared in conjunction with the existing SOPEP plan of the vessel, and has to include:

• oil pollution prevention measures for Panama Canal waters;

• spill notification procedures in a prioritised sequence;

• spill response procedures;

• crew training programme for the reaction to shipboard and shore spill incidents;

• record of exercises; and

• identification of the "authorised person" and telephone and facsimile where they can be reached on a 24-hour basis.

Are these charges separate and distinct to those resulting from expenses generated from the response to an oil spill?
Yes, these charges are separate from any expenses arising from an oil spill; however, as in the past, in the event of an oil spill, all charges for actual response will be assessed.

What will happen to ships arriving at the Panama Canal after January 1 without a PCSOPEP?

Delays and/or penalties could result from non-compliance with ACP regulations.

Within the plan, what is an "authorised person" and how should he or she be appointed?

Every single ship must have an authorised person.

The old concept of "qualified individual" has been replaced by this system. The person has to be domiciled and reside in the Republic of Panama, and serve as liaison between the vessel and the Incident Management System of the Panama Canal Authority.

This individual shall be empowered to obtain and consign guarantees to cover the costs of the response and clean-up of oil spills to the satisfaction of the Panama Canal.

The authorised person shall be fluent in either English or Spanish and should have general knowledge and skills or experience in the Incident Management System and emergency preparedness. Knowledge of spill response operations is optional, but certainly in the best interests of the plan holder.

What is the line of communication in case of an oil spill?

As soon as it happens, the vessel must contact the authorised person. He or she will in turn ensure communication capabilities to interact with the authority's Incident Management System.

How should the PCSOPEP be submitted?

Preferably through electronic mail, at pcsopep@pancanal.com, in Portable Document Format (pdf) and shall be provided not less than 96 hours prior to the vessel's arrival in Panama Canal waters. PCSOPEPs may also be delivered to: Panama Canal Authority, Emergency and Contingency Management Division Building 752, Arnulfo Arias Madrid Street, Balboa, Panama, Republic of Panama.

What is a Notice of Acknowledgement to the vessel?
Once the plan has been submitted, the authority will issue a Notice of Acknowledgement to the vessel. This will be valid for two years, providing that the PCSOPEP fulfills the requirements of section four of Chapter IX of the Regulations on Navigation in Panama Canal waters.

The notice shall be carried on board and presented as a transit requirement when requested by the authority.

Can the Notice of Acknowledgement become invalid?It will become invalid if there are:

• significant changes in vessel configuration that affect information included in the plan;

• significant changes in a vessel's emergency response structure or procedures;

• any non-compliance condition found during random inspections by the Panama Canal Authority; or

• changes in vessel name, ownership, or administration that affect the relationship with the ACP and the authorised person.

Whom shall the shipowner or shipmanager contact at the Panama Canal with any queries over the plan?Documents, circulars and notices with the guidelines, models, and other information can be found at www.pancanal.comFor more specific questions operators can send an email to pcsopep@pan canal.com

How much will the PCSOPEP cost the shipowner?The ACP will charge a fee based on the vessel's tier classification and hull construction, applicable to each transit.

Type of vessel	Vessel tariff per transit (double hull vessels)
Vessels with an oil carrying capacity of 400 tonnes up to 1,000 tonnes (tier S)	$200
Vessels with an oil carrying capacity of 1,001 tonnes up to 7,000 tonnes (tier 1)	$350
Vessels with an oil carrying capacity of 7,001 tonnes up to 15,000 tonnes (tier 2)	$600
Vessels with an oil carrying capacity of more than 15,000 MT (tier 3)	$750
Surcharge for vessels carrying oil as cargo and having single side or single bottom	25%
Surcharge for vessels carrying oil as cargo and having single hull	50%

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Maria Dixon is a director of ISM Shipping Solutions, London

 

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© 2004 Maria Dixon - ISM Shipping Solutions Ltd.

Published in Loyds List, with permission from the Author