Standing approvals
Ports and Harbours in England and Wales are required by the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation) Regulations 1998 to have plans drawn up and ready to be implemented in the event of an Oil Spill emergency.
Use of oil spill treatment products in shallow marine waters such as ports and harbours requires specific approval from MFA. Ports and Harbours can seek permission for a MFA standing approval to be included in their OPRC plan which allows them to use an appropriate quantity of a specified oil treatment product on a spill. This means they do not need to seek specific permission at the time of the spill.
The areas in which Standing Approvals apply are: Ports of Felixstowe, Fishguard (Stena Line), Ramsgate, London, Bristol and Workington; Medway Ports, Associated Petroleum Terminal at Immingham, Tetney Monobuoy in the River Humber , Fawley Oil Refinery at Southampton, Cairns Mill Wharf at Silvertown Thames, Associated British Ports at the Humber, Fleetwood, Ipswich and Lowestoft; Harwich Haven Authority, Birkenhead (United Storage), Canada Dock at Liverpool (United Storage) North Alfred Dock at Birkenhead (United Storage), Gladstone Dock at Liverpool (United Storage) and King George V Dock at Hull.