A joint Israeli-Jordanian oil pollution combat exercise was successfully completed in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba last month.
A 100-ton oil leak to sea from a tanker anchored in Aqaba Port was simulated for the purpose of the exercise, during which the Jordanian unit for combating marine pollution by oil in Jordan’s Aqaba Port sought assistance from the Israeli Marine and Coastal Environment Division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The Jordanian and Israeli forces worked in full cooperation, using dedicated equipment for combating marine oil pollution from the two countries. Oil containment booms were joined to create a single Jordanian-Israeli boom, aimed at improving treatment and control of the spill. Vessels from both countries operated oil containment, pumping and storage systems.
The exercise was part of a training exercise program run by Israel’s Marine and Coastal Environment Division via the marine pollution prevention station in Eilat, within the framework of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
Exercises held throughout the years hone skills; strengthen cooperation among all stakeholders; increase preparedness; and improve the treatment of potential oil spills.
Joint action and mutual assistance in the event of a major spill in the Upper Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba are crucial to protect the natural and landscape assets shared by Israel and Jordan.