Spill Notification Point

Competent National Authority

Response Arrangements

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence and Aviation is responsible for all environmental matters in the Kingdom, including planning for the conservation of natural marine and coastal resources. The PME also ensures that reporting, surveillance and response capabilities are available to deal with spills in Saudi Arabian waters. These are outlined in the National Contingency Plan for Combating Marine Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Emergencies. This Plan establishes two Area Operations Committees and two Environmental Protection Coordinating Committees, one of each for the Red Sea coast and for the Gulf Coast. These committees are chaired by PME with representation from interested authorities including: The Ministry of Interior (Coast Guard and Civil Defence Authorities); Ministry of Defence and Aviation; Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Affairs; Ministry of Industry and Electricity; Ministry of Municipality and Rural Resources; the Saudi Ports Authority; the General Organisation for Distillation of Saline Water; the Royal Navy and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.  Amongst their responsibilities is the preparation of area plans, including local plans for marine and coastal oil facilities, identification of necessary manpower and equipment, and training staff in response activities.

Response Policy

Offshore, containment and recovery of oil is the preferred strategy. Dispersants may also be used in accordance with a code of practice which prohibits their use in shallow waters and near to the intakes of desalination plants and areas used for aquaculture.  The presence of extensive shallow inshore and coastal waters limits the use of on-water recovery methods, and most plans place emphasis on defensive booming strategies to protect key shoreline resources. 

Equipment

Government

PME holds stocks of equipment in Jubail and Jeddah for responding to spills from shipping accidents.  The Saudi Port Authority holds sizeable amounts of equipment in all Saudi Ports on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.  Considerable reliance is placed on industry resources.

Private

The Arabian American Oil Company (SAUDI ARAMCO) holds the largest stock of oil pollution control and clean-up equipment in the country, including an offshore aerial spraying and mechanical recovery capability. SAUDI ARAMCO is unique amongst the oil companies in the region in having a full-time oil spill clean-up group dedicated to the task of pollution control in and around the Company's oil-exporting terminals. SAUDI ARAMCO is a member of the Regional Clean Sea Organisation (RECSO) (formerly known as GAOCMAO) and may request assistance from other member companies outside Saudi Arabia in the event of a major spill. The ports also have sizeable amounts of equipment.

The Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) has sited a small stockpile of response equipment in Ras Al-Khafji comprising heavy oil skimmers, boom and portable storage tanks. 

Previous Spill Experience

Saudi Arabia has experienced a number of moderate-to-large oil spills during the last 10 years, culminating in the large spill during the Gulf War in 1991. PME and SAUDI ARAMCO coordinated a major international response effort during which more than one million barrels of oil were recovered from the shoreline. 

Compensation

* not yet in force 

Regional & Bilateral Agreements

• Jeddah Convention (with states bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden)
• Kuwait Convention (with countries bordering the Gulf).

Date of issue: July 2009