Tackling transboundary oil spills in the Gulf of Thailand

Countries bordering the Gulf of Thailand have finalized a set of guidelines to manage the use of chemical dispersants to respond to oil spills in the region.

The guidelines outline a coordinated approach to the use of dispersants, which are chemical agents used to break down oil slicks and reduce damage to the shoreline and marine environment.

Different countries may have different policies regarding the use of dispersants as a response option to a spill, and it is therefore important that neighbouring coastal states to agree a coordinated approach to the use of dispersants. Given that the Gulf of Thailand is a biodiversity hotspot as well as a fishing and tourism hub for the surrounding economies, regional cooperation is paramount.

The finalization of the guidelines was the main outcome of a workshop delivered by IMO in Bangkok, Thailand (19-21 November), focused on how to tackle a potential spill with dispersants in a transboundary setting.

The workshop brought together 30 officials from government agencies involved in oil pollution response in Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam, alongside industry representatives. The countries, sharing many transboundary sensitivities, are part of the Gulf of Thailand Cooperation - a sub-regional initiative on oil spill preparedness and response.

Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation to effectively respond to a pollution incident; how to support in-country efforts; and the development of national and regional strategies on dispersant usage, in accordance with the provisions of the OPRC Convention. Participants shared experiences and lessons learned in assessing national needs and priorities on the use of dispersants.

The guidelines finalized at the workshop were a key deliverable in the 2023 - 2027 Strategic Action Plan for Oil Spill Readiness and Response in the Gulf of Thailand and represent an important step towards pollution preparedness and response in the Gulf of Thailand area.

The workshop took place under the framework of the GI SEA Project, which supports oil spill preparedness and response in in Southeast Asia, and was delivered through IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), in collaboration with the Marine Department of the Ministry of Transport of Thailand.