The Port of Gothenburg and SP Marine have developed a new method for dealing with oil spills in its oil harbour, according to a press release.
The new method involves authorities dispatching a programmed "torpedo" with a boom attached in order to contain any spilled oil.
It is believed that this new method will save a great deal of time and contain a spill more swiftly in comparison to more traditional containment methods.
The port is set to introduce the system in the spring of 2011.
According to the release, in the event of an oil spill, a torpedo-like vessel will be sent out into the harbour, deploying an oil boom to contain and collect the oil.
"In effect a large 'bag' is formed in which the oil is collected," stated Dan-Erik Andersson, head of operations at the oil harbour.
"The vessel then docks at another quay where the oil is taken care of. From an environmental point of view a rapid response to oil spills is vital and with this technique we can save valuable time."
Currently the traditional method of oil spill containment is to send out a boat which deploys the booms manually.
The new technique will be fully automated, with the "torpedo" dispatched with the push of a button.
The boom will then follow a pre-programmed course with the aid of an advanced GPS navigation. The boom will be put in place automatically.
"As far as I know this technique is not being used anywhere else," says Andersson.
According to the port authority, the new system should be capable of handling "all conceivable oil spills" in the Oil Harbour.
The release stated that while the vessel containing the boom will be activated from the port office, the possibility of remote activation with the aid of a mobile telephone is currently under consideration.
The new method involves authorities dispatching a programmed "torpedo" with a boom attached in order to contain any spilled oil.
It is believed that this new method will save a great deal of time and contain a spill more swiftly in comparison to more traditional containment methods.
The port is set to introduce the system in the spring of 2011.
According to the release, in the event of an oil spill, a torpedo-like vessel will be sent out into the harbour, deploying an oil boom to contain and collect the oil.
"In effect a large 'bag' is formed in which the oil is collected," stated Dan-Erik Andersson, head of operations at the oil harbour.
"The vessel then docks at another quay where the oil is taken care of. From an environmental point of view a rapid response to oil spills is vital and with this technique we can save valuable time."
Currently the traditional method of oil spill containment is to send out a boat which deploys the booms manually.
The new technique will be fully automated, with the "torpedo" dispatched with the push of a button.
The boom will then follow a pre-programmed course with the aid of an advanced GPS navigation. The boom will be put in place automatically.
"As far as I know this technique is not being used anywhere else," says Andersson.
According to the port authority, the new system should be capable of handling "all conceivable oil spills" in the Oil Harbour.
The release stated that while the vessel containing the boom will be activated from the port office, the possibility of remote activation with the aid of a mobile telephone is currently under consideration.