Peninsula Tanker Joins EMSA Oil Spill Network | Mariner News
Marine fuel supplier and trading firm Peninsula has secured a four-year contract with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), integrating its oil tanker, Panama 100, into the agency’s oil spill response network in the Canary Islands. This agreement establishes a standby oil spill response capability in a critical maritime region, leveraging a commercially active vessel for public safety.
The Panama 100 will continue its normal commercial operations, ensuring efficient asset utilization, while remaining fully available for deployment should an oil spill occur. This hybrid model allows EMSA to enhance regional preparedness without solely relying on dedicated, full-time response vessels.
Preparing the tanker for its dual role involved significant modifications, the installation of specialist pollution-response equipment, and comprehensive crew training. This included Level 2 anti-pollution training conducted with the Canary Islands Port Authority, as confirmed by Peninsula.
Matias Martin, Deputy Company Security Officer at Peninsula, highlighted the commitment to readiness, stating, “We have worked to ensure that both the PANAMA 100 and her crew are properly equipped and trained for the responsibility that comes with this role.”
If mobilized, the Panama 100 is equipped to assist authorities in containing and recovering pollutants using on-board skimmers and containment systems. The vessel and crew will undergo continuous drills and exercises throughout the four-year term to maintain operational readiness, reflecting an ongoing commitment to regional maritime safety.
