The safety of terminals following a recent incident in Milford Haven

The 16,700 tonne (deadweight) Tanker the 'MV Prospero' experienced a heavy berthing whilst docking at the SenLogistics terminal in Milford Haven in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A pilot was on board at the time of the incident.

The incident caused minor damage to the vessel and heavier damage to the jetty.

The tanker was nearly empty at the time of the incident, carrying 248 tonnes of kerosene.

There were no injuries or pollution as a result of the incident and it poses no risk to the environment or human health.

An investigation by the Department for Transport’s Marine Accident Investigation Bureau (MAIB) is underway.  The MAIB will send me a copy of their report of the incident once they have completed their investigation.  The Milford Haven Port Authority is also investigating.

Arrangements for safety of shipping and ports

Ports and shipping are governed by comprehensive safety requirements.  These include compliance with international requirements as laid down by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation), the requirements of the country in which the ship is registered (the "flag state"), the requirements of the country in whose waters the ship is trading ("port state control") and, when within port areas, the requirements of that port as determined by legislation applying to the port.

In the case of the UK, “port state control” is managed and monitored by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who regulate navigation in UK's coastal waters and monitor and inspect ships.

Milford Haven Port Authority require, as part of its acceptance of any ship, a declaration that it is in a fit and sound condition to enter and transit the port.  Such a declaration comes from the ship and / or the terminal that has booked the ship before it arrives and also includes confirmation that all the regulatory requirements of inspections, authorisations of officers, condition of machinery and equipment etc are in order.   In addition, the pilot will review these as part of his initial approach to the ship as well as agreeing with the master the way in which the ship will enter / leave the port.

If any of this process identifies something that is not as required or expected then further details will be required for a risk assessment to be undertaken as to whether, and if so how, that will affect the vessels use of the port.
Risk assessments in preparation for opening of LNG facilities

The Milford Haven Port Authority carried out a wide range of risk assessments and scenario testing as part of its detailed approach for planning to receive LNG ships.

These included a Quantified Risk Assessment (QRA) of an LNG ship at a berth and the scenarios that could pose a risk of a loss of containment - essentially the risk of a collision from another ship.

The outcome of these QRAs was that the risks are well within accepted levels and that the risk reduction measures that the Port Authority have identified and will implement will drive down the level of risk even further.

Such measures include speed restrictions on passing ships, the number, type and use of tugs, widening the main navigation channel,  the number of tugs to be used, the number of pilots, the time of entry or exit (related to the tides), the navigational channels to be used, the limiting weather conditions etc.  In addition this process defines whether any additional navigation marks are required, any dredging and so on.