Strengthening Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ oil spill preparedness and response capabilities

A national workshop (29 September - 2 October) brought together senior officials from across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to strengthen the country's preparedness and response to spills. The event, held in Saint John's, aimed at enhancing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' oil spill preparedness and response capabilities.

A total of 30 representatives from the Department of Maritime Administration, Department of Sustainable Development, Environment, Fisheries, Legal Affairs, as well as other government agencies and key industry stakeholders involved in responding to oil pollution incidents, participated in the training.

The workshop focused on reviewing and updating the National Oil Spill contingency plan (NOSCP) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Key discussions included identifying the roles, responsibilities and requirements to effectively manage and mitigate oil spill incidents within the country's maritime and coastal zones. Emphasis was placed on the importance of efficient communication and cooperation among relevant agencies.

Sessions covered crucial areas such as reviewing the existing NOSCP and ensuring its effectiveness in view of the introduction of alternative fuels in ships' propulsion, oil and chemical spill prevention, emergency response strategies, and the importance of a cohesive national approach to environmental protection. To support the capacity analysis, participants were introduced to the RETOS tool, which helps assess national preparedness levels, and engaged in a number of table-top exercises to practice managing potential environmental disasters.

The workshop is expected to strengthen coordination efforts and enhance the NOSCP, ensuring that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are better prepared to protect their marine and coastal environments from potential oil spill incidents.

The workshop was organized through IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).