Spill Notification Point

Competent National Authority

Response Arrangements

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications is the competent authority responsible for enforcing, implementing and supervising all activities concerned with preparedness for and response to marine pollution caused by oil and other harmful substances, including the preparation and implementation of contingency plans.  The operational aspects of this work are carried out by the Maritime Safety Department (MSD), based in Bar.  A draft National Contingency Plan has been prepared with the aid of REMPEC and should be adopted by the end of 2011 (Information from May, 2011).  In the event of an incident, operations would be directed by a National Overall Commander, who is either the Director General of the MSD or another person designated by the Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications. In the case of a major incident, the National Overall Commander would nominate a National On-Scene Commander, likely a staff member of the MSD.  A Technical Committee would be established in order to assist the National Overall Commander with the response operation and coordination of national and international activities.  The Committee would consist of representatives from involved ministries, administrations and other relevant institutions adequate to provide technical advice.  A National Emergency Response Centre, part of the MSD, would be activated in cases of major incidents and act as the working place of the National Overall Commander.  For smaller, Tier 2, spills, regional Maritime Rescue Centres would be designated Operational Centres.  They would act in conjunction with the National Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and would activate the third tier of response if the situation became beyond their capabilities. 

Response Policy

The response strategy in Montenegro is formed around the equipment available at national level.  Booms and skimmers are available for containment and recovery.  Dispersants could be used, but under restricted conditions.  Recovered oil/waste would be sent to local refineries, if accepted, or to an incineration plant or other adequate installation for final disposal.

Equipment

Government & Private

Booms, skimmers, boats and other equipment and transportation are available for oil spill response.  A helicopter from the Ministry of Interior and other government aircraft could be called upon by the National Emergency Response Centre if required for surveillance or other purposes.  The NCP also lists one private contractor with equipment and personnel for at sea on shore response.

Previous Spill Experience

We are not aware of any spills in Montenegrin waters.

Hazardous & Noxious Substances

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications is responsible for the co-ordination of response to HNS at sea.

Compensation

* not yet in force

Regional & Bilateral Agreements

• Contracting party to the Barcelona Convention 1976 and its Protocol concerning cooperation in combating pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by oil and other harmful substances in cases of emergency.

For further information see also REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea) Country Profile http://www.rempec.org/country.asp?cid=15&openNum=1&IDS=2_1&daNme=General Information

Date of issue: November 2011