Oil spills during transportation are a major contributor to ocean pollution. The accidental or intentional release of oil, ranging from crude oils to refined petroleum products, poses a significant threat to maritime security, affecting the environment, trade routes, and geopolitical interests. In 1991, during the Gulf war, Iraq intentionally released oil from eight tankers, a refinery, two terminals, and a tank field to dissuade American support to Kuwait. Around 11 million barrels were released in the Gulf and was set afire. Their act was condemned internationally as an ecological terrorism[i].

In May 2006, 650 tonnes of oil were spilled along the Karwar Coast by a bulk carrier MV Ocean Seraya, which dispersed towards the coast of South Goa due to South West Monsoon, making the coast vulnerable[ii]. Other examples of oil spills in IOR are the 2010 MSC Chitra incident, in which an estimated 250 tonnes of oil leaked into the ocean, the 2017 Encore Oil Spill near Kamarajar Port, Chennai, and the 2020 Wakashio oil spill which wrecked Mauritius coral reefs, marine ecosystem, fishing economy. Oil spills can expose India’s coastline to risks by disrupting port operations and hindering trade flows, leading to considerable financial and environmental challenges.

Oceans acts as a carbon sink by storing and reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), mitigating climate change. This process known as carbon sequestration makes the Indian Ocean Region a valuable asset. International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established regulations aimed at improving maritime safety, preventing accidents, and reducing the impact of incidents when they do occur. These rules cover a wide range of activities from ship construction, safety management, seafarer training to developing effective response measures.

Ships or tankers carrying noxious liquid in bulk are required to have an International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate[iii]. India is a signatory to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which deals with six kinds of pollution released by ships, including oil[iv]. India has also ratified the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 which sets comprehensive safety standards for the construction and operation of ships carrying bulk cargoes in solid, liquid chemical form[v]. International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC), 1995 outlines measures to deal with oil pollution incidents, either nationally or through co-operation with other countries[vi].
Furthermore, India also ratified the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage which ensures that the victims receive adequate compensation for the damage caused by oil-carrying ships[vii].

The Indian Coast Guard is tasked with responding to oil spill incidents in India’s maritime zones. Ministry of Defense created the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DSCP) in 1996[viii], updated in 2006 to better handle oil spill disasters. The NOS-DCP has divided India’s maritime zones into three- West, East, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which are further divided into 11 districts, each with a Regional Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan and response centre. On May 22-23, 2024, the Coast Guard conducted a ‘Pollution Response Seminar and Mock Drill’ at their Eastern Sea Board Headquarters in Haldia, West Bengal[ix] to address real-time oil spill challenges. As a leading economy holding a strategic position and responsibility in the Indian Ocean, India has undertaken several safety and response measures at both global and domestic levels to reduce oil pollution incidents.

 

By: Anushka Gupta, RA, CS3

 

ENDNOTES

[i] Barber, Nick. “1991 Gulf War Oil Spill” Stanford University, November 23, 2018, http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2018/ph240/barber1/.

[ii] “How Vulnerable Is Indian Coast to Oil Spills? Impact of MV Ocean Seraya Oil Spill”, India Environment Portal, 25 August, 2008, http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/feature-article/how-vulnerable-indian-coast-oil-spills-impact-mv-ocean-seraya-oil-spill.

[iii] Kaul, Rhythma. “India’s Response to Marine Oil Spills: An Evaluation,” National Maritime Foundation, November 21, 2022. https://maritimeindia.org/16478-2/.

[iv] “Steps Taken for Prevention and Control of Pollution from Ships,” Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, GOI, 5 March, 2020  https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1605383.

[v]“Status of Conventions,” International Maritime Organization, https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/StatusOfConventions.aspx.

[vi] Ibid

[vii] Ibid

[viii] “Oil Spill Disasters: Why Indian Disaster Management Process Needs a Review?” ClearIAS, July 31, 2024. https://www.clearias.com/oil-spill-disasters/.

[ix] “ICG Conducts Pollution Response Seminar & Mock Drill in West Bengal to Address Critical Challenges of Combating Oil Spills at Sea,” Ministry of Defense, GOI, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2021396.