Spill Control for Marine and Offshore Operations — UK Guide
Marine and offshore operations face some of the most demanding spill control requirements under UK and international law. From MARPOL compliance on commercial vessels to offshore platform secondary containment under PFEER, this guide covers the key regulatory obligations and practical spill control measures for maritime and offshore operations.
MARPOL Annex I — Oil Pollution from Ships
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Annex I, governs oil pollution prevention. Key requirements include: no discharge of oil or oily mixtures into the sea within 12 nautical miles of land; bilge water must be processed through an oily water separator (OWS) before discharge; oil record book must be maintained for all transfers and discharges. UK enforcement is by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
SOPEP — Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan
Under MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 37, vessels over 400 GT must carry a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). The SOPEP must contain:
- Procedures for reporting oil pollution incidents to coastal authorities
- List of authorities and persons to be contacted in event of spill
- Detailed description of actions to be taken by personnel on board
- Contact points for the ship's owner or operator
- Inventory of spill response equipment on board
The IMO Resolution MEPC.54(32) provides guidance on minimum spill kit contents for SOPEP compliance. View our SOPEP-compliant marine spill kits.
Marine Absorbents — Why Oil-Only Materials Are Essential
Marine spill response requires hydrophobic (water-repelling) absorbents — specifically white polypropylene oil-only absorbents. These float on water while absorbing oil, making them effective for harbour and sea-surface spill response. Cellulose-based (grey/universal) absorbents must never be used on water — they absorb seawater and sink, becoming useless and creating marine debris. Browse our marine absorbent range.
| Application | Recommended Absorbent | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Open water surface spill | Oil-only booms + pads (white PP) | Hydrophobic — floats, absorbs oil not water |
| Engine room deck spill | Oil-only pads or granules | Contained area, drain leads to bilge |
| Harbour/dock spill | Oil-only booms deployed across water | Contains and absorbs, prevents spread |
| Chemical cargo spill at sea | Specialist SOPEP chemical kit | Oil-only inadequate for chemical cargoes |
Harbour and Port Authority Requirements
The Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) requires harbour authorities to have oil spill contingency plans and appropriate spill response equipment. Vessels operating within UK harbours must comply with harbour authority bye-laws, which typically require: notification of any spill, cessation of bunkering operations in event of spill, and cooperation with harbour authority response.
Offshore Platform Secondary Containment — PFEER
The Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response (PFEER) Regulations 1995 govern offshore installations on the UK Continental Shelf. PFEER requires duty holders to assess the risk of fire and explosion, including from hydrocarbon spills, and to implement prevention and detection measures. Secondary containment on offshore platforms must be engineered to handle worst-case leak scenarios from pressurised hydrocarbon systems.
Last reviewed: April 2026 | Need expert advice? Call 01744 520 110 | Marine Spill Kits | Marine Absorbents