Spill Notification Point

Competent National Authority

Response Arrangements

A national oil spill contingency plan has been developed but is not yet approved. This identifies the designated authority for spill response at sea and on land.

It is understood that each district within Suriname is governed separately, but for the purpose of oil spill response, the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment (ATM), through Maritime Authority Suriname, the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS) and the National Disaster Coordinator, performs a coordinating role and addresses contingency requirements. In the event of a spill, Maritime Authority Suriname would act as the spill notification point and host the National Response Center.

Each district has a designated coordinator who is responsible for preparedness, response and cooperation with industry for counter-pollution measures. It is understood from information received by RAC-REMPEITC in 2015 that further investment in training and education is required in order for the country to be prepared to respond effectively as a nation and for transboundary incidents.

Staatsolie, the state oil company, is a member of ARPEL, a reciprocal agreement between Latin American oil companies, based in Montevideo, and could call upon this organisation and its member companies for advice and resources.

Staatsolie and POC (Paradise Oil Company) commissioned a report identifying sensitive areas in Suriname's coastal waters (May 2014).

Response Policy

Suriname does not have a policy on dispersant use or in-situ burning. NIMOS is engaging with key stakeholders to develop a policy.

Equipment

Government & Private

It is understood that there is very little specialised government-owned equipment in Suriname. It is likely that a limited number of government vessels would be available for spill response and aerial surveillance would be undertaken using aircraft from the Suriname Army.

Staatsolie and POC have trained personnel and equipment to combat spills at their own facilities. Staatsolie is also a member of Oil Spill Response (Americas) Ltd (formerly Clean Caribbean & Americas) and would rely on their resources for larger incidents (Information from RAC-REMPEITC, 2015). Other oil companies in the country have some limited resources. No specialist oil spill clean-up contractors are available locally.

Previous Spill Experience

It is understood that Suriname has no experience of ship-source oil pollution related incidents.

Hazardous & Noxious Substances

Suriname has no specific arrangements for HNS response and has no experience of ship-source HNS-related incidents.

Compensation

* not yet in force 

Regional & Bilateral Agreements

• Suriname is not party to any regional or bilateral agreements.

Date of issue: June 2015