December 01, Colombo (LNW): Experts in marine pollution response assert that Sri Lanka has made considerable strides in strengthening its capacity to handle future maritime disasters, thanks to the lessons learned from past incidents such as the ‘X-Press Pearl’ and ‘New Diamond’ shipwrecks.
These catastrophic events, which involved the release of hazardous materials into the ocean, have highlighted the pressing need for improved preparedness and response strategies in the region.
Bethany Graves, a representative from the Ocean Country Partnership Programme, shared her insights at the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) Symposium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in late November 2024.
During her address, Graves stressed that the environmental damage caused by these two maritime disasters underscored the urgency for countries in the region to develop effective response frameworks for managing marine pollution.
Sri Lanka’s proactive approach, bolstered by international cooperation, is now seen as a key example of how regional nations can enhance their capabilities to mitigate the environmental impact of such disasters.
The ‘X-Press Pearl’ incident in 2021, which saw the vessel catch fire and spill hazardous materials into the sea, remains a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities posed by international shipping.
Similarly, the ‘New Diamond’ oil tanker fire, which occurred in 2020, further emphasised the need for quick and efficient action to minimise environmental harm.
W.K. Rathnadeera, Senior Programme Officer at SACEP, echoed Graves’ sentiments, acknowledging that while Sri Lanka has made notable progress, securing sufficient funding for marine pollution response programmes remains a critical challenge.
Rathnadeera pointed out that while local efforts are crucial, such disasters rarely remain confined within national borders, thereby highlighting the necessity for a collective regional approach to addressing these environmental crises.
The 2024 SACEP Symposium, which took place from November 18 to 22 in Colombo, brought together marine pollution experts, environmentalists, and government officials from across South Asia.
The event focused on enhancing regional collaboration and refining the region’s response capabilities to marine pollution incidents.
This year’s symposium marked a revisiting of the marine pollution response framework first established in 2015, with an emphasis on reviewing national preparedness levels and addressing operational gaps.
One of the main objectives of the symposium was to explore the challenges faced by individual nations in managing marine pollution and to identify areas where regional cooperation could be strengthened.
Experts underscored the importance of clarifying roles in emergency response, as well as finding ways to support mutual aid agreements among South Asian countries.
The collaborative nature of the event highlighted that maritime disasters, particularly those involving toxic spills or large-scale pollution, demand a swift and coordinated response from all parties involved.
The outcomes of the symposium will guide future strategies and partnerships aimed at enhancing the region’s overall ability to address marine pollution.
