Felixstowe, Britain's largest container port, has taken delivery of two marine oil spill containment booms. The oil booms are each 250 metres in length and are able to withstand up to two tonnes of pressure. The booms will allow the port's emergency services to isolate and contain oil spills from vessels of any size. ''As the UK's largest port, we treat environmental safety as paramount,'' said Chris Lewis, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, which owns Felixstowe port.
Port officials said marine oil spills at Felixstowe were rare, but there was a need to be prepared at all times.
''The new equipment is an essential asset to our operations and will provide us with the most effective protection in the event of an oil spill,'' said Lewis.
''The Port of Felixstowe has always co-operated with other ports in the Harwich Haven, as part of the Haven Oil Working Group, to provide a combined response to any pollution incidents.
''By pooling all of the equipment at our disposal, the ports are able to offer a more efficient response and to maximise the level of environmental protection available,'' he said.
The new equipment is manufactured by Vikoma International Ltd and made from high-quality polyester, PVC and nitrile polymer.
Felixstowe port has also invested in additional skimming to allow workers to recover any oil trapped by the boom, and set aside tank equipment to store recovered waste oil for disposal.
Port officials said marine oil spills at Felixstowe were rare, but there was a need to be prepared at all times.
''The new equipment is an essential asset to our operations and will provide us with the most effective protection in the event of an oil spill,'' said Lewis.
''The Port of Felixstowe has always co-operated with other ports in the Harwich Haven, as part of the Haven Oil Working Group, to provide a combined response to any pollution incidents.
''By pooling all of the equipment at our disposal, the ports are able to offer a more efficient response and to maximise the level of environmental protection available,'' he said.
The new equipment is manufactured by Vikoma International Ltd and made from high-quality polyester, PVC and nitrile polymer.
Felixstowe port has also invested in additional skimming to allow workers to recover any oil trapped by the boom, and set aside tank equipment to store recovered waste oil for disposal.