How do you clean up an oil spill in the port?

Oil does not belong in water. Yet sometimes it happens. When it does, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Brabo Cleaning Company immediately shift into high gear. They limit the damage and clean up the pollution, day and night, seven days a week.

Harbour stories

From report to action

Every clean-up operation starts with a report. Ships that see or cause an oil spill must report this immediately to the port authority supervisor. This service is the first point of contact for incidents in the port, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As soon as the report is received, the port authority supervisor sends a team of port authority officers to the scene.

On site, the officers assess the situation: the size of the oil spill, its severity and its origin. Because oil spills are sometimes difficult to see from the shore, drones are used when necessary to take aerial photographs that provide a much clearer and more complete overview.

The officers take samples of any contamination whose origin is not immediately clear. This way, they can later determine what kind of oil it is and where it originated.

Specialised service provider in action

When officers determine that it is not a thin film that will evaporate on its own, but rather a substance that may spread or adhere to ships, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges engages a specialised service provider.

Today, that task is performed by Brabo Cleaning Company, which is responsible for oil spill response on the water in the port area under a framework agreement. Within 45 minutes, its teams are ready with response vessels specifically designed for oil spill response and specialised equipment, such as a remote-controlled robot capable of cleaning ship hulls using steam.

Contain, remove, clean

“First, we place an oil boom,” says Bruno, Oil Spill Coordinator at Brabo Cleaning Company. "This way, we keep the oil within a clearly defined area. We then determine the best way to remove the contamination and which surfaces need to be cleaned."

Subsequently, the oil is removed.

Skimmers separate oil from water, so that hardly any water ends up in the waste mixture.
Absorbent materials soak up the remaining residues and are then disposed of as waste.

Cleaning contaminated surfaces is usually done using high pressure and high temperatures. In cases of stubborn dirt, specialised cleaning agents are applied under strict supervision.

Dispersants (chemical products that break oil down into small droplets) are prohibited. They merely conceal the pollution, fail to address the underlying issue, and cause additional environmental damage.

Impact on port operations

Oil pollution is particularly critical in the vicinity of a lock or tidal dock. In such locations, oil can adhere to the infrastructure across its entire height, considerably complicating cleaning and remediation efforts. Nature reserves also receive special attention in order to prevent ecological damage.

Affected areas are therefore immediately cordoned off and, if necessary, closed to shipping. Moorings remain closed until they have been thoroughly cleaned. Vessels that have been fouled may only depart once they have been cleaned. Supervision is carried out by port authority officers and supervisors, in close cooperation with colleagues from nautical operations.

Did you know...

That oil-related incidents account for more than half of all environmental reports in the Antwerp port area? Most are minor and quickly resolved, but larger incidents occur on average once every five years.

Who pays for the clean-up?

Cleaning up an oil spill can be quite costly. Port of Antwerp-Brussels therefore always attempts to determine the responsible party.

"If we find who caused it, we get their insurer involved as soon as possible," says Quinten, Incident Management Officer. This way, we avoid disputes and can recover our costs.

Samples taken by port authority officers are often crucial in proving the cause. They enable the oil to be linked to a specific source. Analyses are carried out in an accredited laboratory, ensuring that the results are legally valid.

A team committed to continuous learning

In complex incidents, which can sometimes last for days, incident management officers take the lead. They ensure that the port is always prepared for these kinds of situations.

After each incident, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted with all parties involved. Insights are shared internally and discussed with external partners.

“We learn from every incident”

“We learn from every incident,” says Quinten. “This allows us to continuously raise the bar, from response time to more sustainable techniques.”

Through training courses and innovative projects, the teams stay up to date with the latest methods, enabling them to work more efficiently, with less waste and reduced impact on the port environment.

Oil spill response: one goal, one team

Cleaning up an oil spill is not a routine job. It requires expertise, cooperation and speed. From the first report to the removal of the very last drop, dozens of people work together towards a single goal: a safe harbour, smooth shipping and a healthy environment.

You might also find this interesting

Sustainability