Safeguarding the Gulf
Saudi Aramco maintains an impressive safety record at all ports
Saudi Aramco’s first ship was loaded with Saudi crude at Ras Tanura in 1939. Since then, Ras Tanura has turned to become a world-class port. Today, close to 4,000 crude and product ships call at Saudi ports annually. The company’s terminal operations have set a record of meeting the world’s demand for crude while maintaining a clean environment.
To date, Saudi Aramco has never had a major oil spill. Although its terminals have the capacity to handle current and even foreseeable future’s export demand, the company assures the industry that it will expand tanker tonnage to export more crude and products from the region.
Mohammed S. Al-Gusaier, Vice President, Distribution and Terminal Operations, Saudi Aramco, speaks with Offshore Arabia.
“Ship design has changed dramatically over the years, most recently with the switch to double-hulled tankers. Our ports will always be ready to meet the demands placed upon them,” says Al-Gusaier.
He waves his hand to the people at the other side of the room signalling he will need to remain in the interview room for some more minutes. The other room accommodates the Offshore Arabia 2006 exhibition committee, of which he is part.
He continues: “Saudi Aramco terminals currently have the capacity to handle export demand for the foreseeable future. We are in fact proposing to mothball some berths to improve efficiency.”
Al Gusaier’s statement complements that of Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president of Refining, Marketing and International division. Al-Khayyal said that in view of the growing demand for crude and refined products, the industry should expand tanker tonnage to export more crude and products from the region.
Shipping is vital to the petroleum industry in the Middle East, because almost all oil and refined products exported from the Arabian Gulf moves in tankers. Expanding the refining capacity without expanding the ability to move the products would not help anyone.
There are, however, several serious issues facing the shipping industry in this region. New ship prices, second-hand prices and freight rates peaked over the last two years, surpassing all previous records. The supply-demand balance for transportation service remains tight, while all factors point toward increasing ship demand. At the same time, shipyards around the world are operating at full capacity, making it difficult for new ship deliveries to keep pace with demand.
Keeping the safety of all ships is therefore a must, Al-Gusaier said. “Our terminals face the classic risks of normal operations such as major leak and fire. But recently, new risk has risen and this risk has something to do with the people who target the oil facilities. This is putting much pressure on our company to ensure maximum safety.”
To this end, Saudi Aramco has implemented the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) code at all its ports and terminals in 2004. This code applies to all ships engaged in international trade. A 24-hour tracking mechanism monitors all arriving ships to ensure compliance with ISPS Code prior to their arrival.
Al-Gusaier added: “Saudi Aramco maintains an impressive safety record at all ports. Employee safety education is at the heart of risk management, supported by well-rehearsed disaster and contingency plans. To date, Saudi Aramco has never had a major oil spill.”
In response to the massive spill initiated during the Gulf crisis in 1990-1991, Saudi Aramco mobilised a massive oil spill mitigation effort to protect the Kingdom’s offshore crude oil production and onshore desalination and power plants that use seawater to produce drinking water and electricity.
Saudi Aramco activated its oil spill response team and drew upon its own and chartered equipment and supplies to fight the spill. Hundreds of Saudi Aramco employees joined the volunteer efforts to rescue and clean seabirds, turtles and other animals. Since the spill, Saudi Aramco has conducted environmental studies and continues to monitor the impacted areas. The coastline has made a remarkable recovery.
Saudi Aramco has an Oil Spill Committee whose members are all high level executives of the company. Al-Gusaier also chairs this committee. He has been heading the committee for five years.
“Saudi Aramco is unique among the oil companies in the region in having a full-time oil spill response group. Saudi Aramco recognises the value of preparedness, and has one of the oil industry’s largest stockpiles of oil spill response equipment and available anti-pollution vessels.
“Saudi Aramco conducts and participates in oil spill responses drills regionally and internationally on a regular basis, the most recent in Oman in December 2005. This constantly maintained level of preparedness enabled the company to successfully tackle the biggest spill the Arabian Gulf has seen, during the Gulf crisis of 1990-1991.
“Saudi Aramco also prevents oil spills by operating a tanker vetting system. The performance of all nominated vessels is checked against previous visits to Saudi Aramco, Lloyds Casualty List, OCIMF SIRE reports and any other articles relating to the ship. Deficient ships are either rejected totally or requested to rectify the identified deficiency and commit the ship to a pollution prevention plan,” he said.
Saudi Aramco is a member of the Regional Clean Sea Organization (RECSO) through which Saudi Aramco and its GCC partners share the responsibility of ensuring a long-term commitment to the Clean Gulf concept. RECSO maintains a close liaison with Regional Organization for the Protection of Marine Environment and its marine wing, the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre.
“We are very committed to safeguarding the safety and protection of the Gulf. And the efficient operations of our terminals is one way of doing it,” says Al-Gusaier with clasped hands and a sincere smile.
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