Hambantota International Port enhances emergency preparedness

Corals growing along the breakwater of the Hambantota port

The Hambantota International Port (HIP), in partnership with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Navy, stepped up efforts in enhancing its emergency preparedness and the recent activity in that regard was facilitating an oil spill drill.

“While all health and safety measures are in place to prevent accidents, we are also prepared for the unexpected. Therefore, drills of this nature are mandatory in our standard operational procedure.  I must also reiterate that the HIP is the only Sri Lankan port that’s ISO certified with special emphasis on QHSE and therefore the drill we conducted was in compliance with the ISO standards,” said Hambantota International Port Group CEO Johnson Liu. 

The HIP’s participation in the marine oil spill drill showcased the port’s proactive approach to emergency preparedness and its commitment to refining response capabilities, in order to ensure compliance with the local and international regulations. 

“This kind of drill provides valuable training opportunities for our teams involved in oil spill response. It includes training on the use of specialised equipment, implementing response procedures and understanding their roles and responsibilities in the event of an actual spill. The drill gave us the chance to test and verify the functionality of our response equipment, such as booms, skimmers, etc. Regular testing helps to ensure the equipment is operational and ready for deployment and although all our preventive measures are in place, this would mitigate any impact on the environment and communities if a spill does occur,” said Hambantota International Port Services CEO Capt. Ravi Jayawickrema.

The existence of growing corals within a port that conducts oil bunkering operations showcases the HIP’s heightened level of environmental awareness and strict adherence to regulations. 
“Corals are highly sensitive marine organisms that form intricate ecosystems and they play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity in the marine environment. Corals growing within the port boundaries, where oil bunkering operations are conducted, is testament to our heightened levels of environmental awareness, strict adherence to regulations, implementation of robust mitigation measures and active engagement with the stakeholders to ensure sustainable ESG practices,” Capt. Jayawickrema. 

Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard ready to deploy the Boom in readiness for the drill