Authorities working closer together to combat ship pollution

Local authorities are gearing up to spring into joint action in the event of a pollution emergency at sea.

The Competitiveness and Communications Ministry, the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry, the Malta Maritime Authority, the Civil Protection Department and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority Pollution Control division are working together to safeguard the sea around Malta.

Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea explained that with the support of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (Rempec), the local authorities had intensified cooperation to ensure that in an emergency each organisation would have a specific role so that the situation would be dealt with in a fast and efficient manner.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Galea stressed the importance of timeliness in combating sea pollution and added that the local authorities were investing in equipment to combat such pollution. He said the quicker action was taken, the more successful it was likely to be. Thousands of ships which passed close to Malta annually carried oil.

Addressing the seventh Rempec focal points meeting, the minister said shipping should be considered an international activity. "Whatever action is taken at the regional level is only part of a whole, complete action that has to be taken worldwide," he said.

Mr Galea said that when taking part in international fora, he always emphasised the fact that sub-standard shipping was a threat to safety of life at sea, the seafaring industry and its profession, and to the fair competition for the many ship owners and port authorities adhering to responsible operations.

The government, he said, had declared and practised the promotion of quality shipping, also in line with the goals of the International Maritime Organisation, to encourage and facilitate the general adoption of the highest practicable standards in matters concerning maritime safety and security and the prevention and control or marine pollution from ships.

Rempec, he said, was "undoubtedly" doing sterling work to ensure better protection of the marine environment in the Mediterranean.

"The fact that the centre operates within the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan but at the same time is administered by the International Maritime Organisation, provides added value to its work and activity in the region," he said. Since its inception Malta had taken a keen interest and commitment in the centre's activities. He said the fact that Malta hosted the centre was proof of the country's interest in this field.

On the agenda of the meeting is the discussion of the centre's programme of activities for the next two years, the minister explained. He said this would continue to consolidate and develop Rempec's activities in the field of prevention, preparedness and response to marine pollution from ships.

"In view of the fact that shipping is of the essence international, it is of the utmost importance that the proposed common actions at the regional level be in line with the existing international regime," he said.