ArcopolPlus

Maritime transport is a key element of European economic development. However, the increasing seaborne trade of oil and chemicals (HNS – Hazardous and Noxious Substances-), together with a number of natural and anthropogenic risk factors pose a significant threat to the sustainability of maritime safety and marine and coastal environment, as demonstrated by a number of large oil and HNS spills incidents.
Concerning HNS spills, preparedness and response operations represent a huge technical, scientific and organizational challenge and there have been relatively few initiatives addressed to extensively develop the necessary knowledge on their behaviour, weathering and dangers for public health and the environment. The transnational relevance of marine pollution originated by oil and HNS spills is evident as a pollution event occurring in international or territorial waters will very likely impact the coastline of several Member States and coastal regions. In this framework, collaborative work to improve preparedness and response capabilities is essential if coastal regions are to respond promptly and efficiently through well tested and coordinated mechanisms and procedures. Built on the knowledge and outcomes developed by ARCOPOL project (2009-2011), ARCOPOL + aims to further improve maritime safety and Atlantic regions coastal pollution preparedness and response against oil and HNS through technology transfer, training and innovation activities. ARCOPOL + will capitalize the results and products by ARCOPOL by upgrading and implementing them through pilot actions and training activities developed with the involvement of key stakeholders in the different regions. In addition, regarding HNS behaviour and from the experience acquired through ARCOPOL, ARCOPOL will address gaps that should be faced in order to establish a reasonable and efficient response. The tangibility of results will be achieved their incorporation into local and regional contingency planning. Innovative tracking and forecasting tools and technologies as well as protocols and systems to integrate historical, real time and model data will be adapted to the needs of local and regional authorities that will be trained on their application. Moreover, ARCOPOL + will reinforce the existing Atlantic network of expertise in oil and HNS preparedness, response and mitigation by promoting a higher involvement of the industry and key stakeholders, by developing innovative educational and dissemination materials and by compiling and integrating relevant information coming from previous and ongoing initiatives. ARCOPOL + will move give response to a common problem among the Member States and regions of the Atlantic Area by promoting coordinated actions and collaboration at regional and local level, fostering exchange between all the actors and supporting the development of relevant information and knowledge about the coastal zone and the risks that threat it. The specific project objectives are: 1) To improve preparedness and response capabilities through the development of innovative products and materials and by developing training and technology transfer actions addressed local and regional authorities, 2) To create key knowledge on HNS and to upgrade and capitalize protocols, tools and guidance developed in ARCOPOL by implementing them at contingency planning, 3) To reinforce and consolidate the network of Atlantic expertise on oi l and HNS response by integrating the industry and by capitalizing the information and results from ongoing initiatives. The project wi ll be developed by a consortium involving partners from 4 countries of the Atlantic Area (United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland and Spain), where regional and local

competent agencies and authorities as well as research organizations are well represented. It will be supported by an Advisory Body comprised key authorities, experts and industry delegates and will look for the involvement of relevant stakeholders and organizations during the lifetime ARCOPOL+.