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Figure 14.2 shows the current distribution of EMSA’s contracted oil spill response vessels
and dispersant stockpiles. To date, the Agency has equipped two of its contracted vessels
with dispersant application systems namely the Alexandria (Cyprus) and Balluta Bay (Malta).
Both locations also have dispersant stockpiles (Radiagreen OSD) of 200 tonnes each. Cur
rently ongoing is the improvement project for the vessel Bahia Tres (Sines, Portugal) to also
install a dispersant application system. Once completed, dispersant (200 tonnes) will be pur
chased also for this location.
Figure 14.2: Distribution of EMSA’s contracted oil spill response vessels and dispersant stockpiles
The EMSA handbook Network-of-Stand-by-Oil-Spill-Response-Vessels-and-Equipment
(2014a) provides an overview on the current network of stand-by oil spill response vessels
and equipment. For 2016, it is planned to also equip a new vessel based on the Canary Is
lands with dispersant spraying capability and a dispersant stockpile.
EMSA’s new Equipment Assistance Service (EAS) could also include stand-alone dispersant
spraying systems (tanks and spraying arms) including dispersant stockpile(s) to be used on
vessels of opportunity, if the desire for such capabilities is clearly presented by countries of
the region. As an equipment depot is planned for the North Sea region, Germany, if in favour
of including dispersant spraying systems and dispersant in that area, could make such a re
quest through the appropriate channels.
In addition to providing response capacity for oil spills, EMSA is also providing information
tools to the member states. In this context, several workshops on dispersants have been
held at the Agency’s headquarter in Lisbon, Portugal. Furthermore a Manual on the Applica
bility of Oil Spill Dispersants (EMSA, 2010) was developed distributed to the ELI Member