EMSA Updates Chemical-spill Advice Service

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) reminds of its rapid-response service providing expert advice on chemicals in maritime emergencies.

In close cooperation with the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and the Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution (Cedre), EMSA created the MAR-ICE Network in 2008. It offers remote product and incident- specific information and advice within 1 hour of the request and more detailed information shortly thereafter.

Information provided within one hour includes safety data sheets, and relevant data from international codes & 
regulations; shortly after it provides additional information on product properties from a knowlegeable chemical company (if necessary).

For cargoes spilled at sea
    •    2D or 3D drift and weathering models, indicating areas potentially impacted by the pollution
    •    Estimation of the mass balance of the chemical spilled according to time elapsed


For containers
    •    Assessment of the behaviour of a container lost at sea
    •    Advice on methods to locate and recover the containers


For cargoes on board disabled vessels
    •    Risk assessment for responders and the environment
    •    Advice on response methods and options.