THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL. KUALA LUMPUR. 27-29 MAY 1996
HOW INDONESIA PREPARES FOR AND RESPONSE TO
OIL SPILLS
BY
CAPT. HENKY. M.J. LUMENTAH. LLM
SENIOR STAFF
DIRECTORATE OF SEA AND COAST GUARD
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SEA COMMUNICATION
INDONESIA
ABSTRACT
The massive oil spill incident involving the MT. Showa Maru on January 6, 1975 in the Strait of Malacca stimulated awareness of the necessity to have a comprehensive prepared ness plan to face such incident. The absence of oil spill contingency plan, marine oil pollution control legislation and baseline data of coastal environment caused difficulties to the government of Indonesia during the Showa Maru incident and the process of its claims.
This paper discuss how Indonesia prepares for and response to oil spills. It includes efforts taken after the bad experience of the Showa Maru incident, ratification of International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions related to oil pollution and regular exercises conducted jointly between the government and industry, nationally and regionally. The Nagasaki Spirit oil spill incideni in the strait of Malacca will be discussed as a case study.
This paper is a personal contribution, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Directorate General of Sea Communication, Indonesia