KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has executed a National Contingency Plan (Pollution) while assessing the evolving situation after the grounding of MV Heng Tong 77 off Karachi Harbour on July 19.

The chief of the naval staff is the chairman of Pakistan Maritime Disaster Management Board (PMDMB).

The chief of the naval staff has ordered to execute a National Contingency Plan (Pollution) and directed “Tier-1 response elements” to be proactively put in place in order to minimise any possible risk of pollution from the grounded merchant vessel.

The naval chief has also ordered that “Tier-2 response elements” (belonging to all other maritime stakeholders in Pakistan) be brought to four hours’ notice. Maritime Disaster Response Committee (MDRC) under the chairmanship of deputy chief of naval staff (operations) has also been activated to review ongoing actions and future response options.

A meeting of the Maritime Disaster Response Committee (MDRC) was held at HQ PMSA on Saturday to review the situation of MV Heng Tong 77.

The meeting was attended by chairman of KPT, DG of PMSA, DG of Ports and Shipping and representatives of provincial government and other maritime stakeholders.

An elaborate plan was formulated to mitigate effects of any untoward incident which may pose grave environmental hazard due to possibility of oil leakage from the ship’s fuel tank.

The commander coast has been nominated as on scene commander to supervise the on-site preparations to contain risk of pollution in coordination with PMSA and KPT.

Anti-pollution barrier has been deployed by KPT around the grounded ship and other response elements are being mustered in the vicinity.

MV Heng Tong 77 is carrying 118 tonnes of bunker fuel which is a source of immediate concern.

To deal with such contingencies, the government of Pakistan has already in place a standing national organisation called Pakistan Maritime Disaster Management Board (PMDMB) under the chairmanship of chief of the naval staff.

The PMDMB is the competent national authority mandated to execute National Maritime Disaster Contingency Plan (NMDCP) and activate Maritime Disaster Response Committee (MDRC) to deal with its various aspects such as search & rescue (SAR), pollution and salvage.

Although presently there are no immediate signs of possible oil leakage, however, proactive measures have been taken to avoid risk of any negative development especially due to rough sea due to monsoon.

The situation is critically being monitored by Pakistan Navy and all stakeholders in order to mitigate environmental hazard due to risk of marine pollution.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2021