A MAJOR oil spill response exercise has been conducted to strengthen operational readiness and protect Bahrain’s coastal ecosytems.
The exercise, ‘Jahezya 2’, was conducted by the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), in collaboration with Bapco Refining, a subsidiary of Bapco Energies; Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company (GPIC) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) at Bapco Refining’s Sitra Wharf.
It was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of oil spill response plans and capabilities across all participating entities.
It aimed to strengthen operational readiness and enhance co-ordination between the SCE and key participants in managing marine environmental incidents and safeguarding Bahrain’s coastal ecosystems, according to a statement yesterday.
SCE chief executive officer Amna Al Rumaihi said: “The exercise is part of a comprehensive national plan to elevate preparedness and enhance the efficiency of oil spill response.
“This exercise supports the continuous development of the kingdom’s emergency contingency plans, with regular drills conducted to measure effectiveness and ensure that all parties are equipped to deliver a swift, co-ordinated and effective response to environmental emergencies.”
Supervised by the SCE and conducted in co-ordination with the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management, the exercise simulated an oil spill scenario at Sitra Wharf, enabling stakeholders to assess reporting protocols, containment strategies and site rehabilitation procedures, Ms Al Rumaihi added.
She also highlighted the SCE’s commitment to strengthening national preparedness and enhancing technical and human capabilities in responding to oil spill incidents.
Ms Al Rumaihi also praised the robust collaboration between government and industrial partners, which is vital to safeguarding Bahrain’s marine environment.
Bapco Energies acting managing director and Bapco Refining chief executive officer Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery stated: “The successful execution of ‘Jahezya 2’ represents a significant milestone in advancing the national environmental emergency management capabilities.
He said the initiative is aligned with Bapco Refining’s commitment to sustainability, operational resilience and the protection of Bahrain’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
“The exercise exemplifies a strong model of national collaboration, uniting the SCE, Bapco Refining, GPIC and Alba within an integrated operational framework. Such co-operation is essential for strengthening technical and field readiness, enhancing interoperability and upholding the highest standards of marine and coastal protection.”
Dr Jawahery also highlighted that regular response drills remain a top priority for Bapco Refining, as they reinforce communication, operational integration and the reliability of national emergency infrastructure.
The exercise was designed with comprehensive objectives to validate emergency plans, improve co-ordination among organisations and ensure full compliance with Bahrain’s national oil spill response regulations, thereby enhancing overall preparedness and operational response capabilities, he pointed out.
Dr Jawahery expressed his appreciation to the participating entities, highlighting that the collaborative efforts significantly enhances the efficiency and overall effectiveness of environmental emergency response, contributing to the kingdom’s ongoing commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship.
GPIC’s participation in the joint oil spill response exercise reflects its steadfast commitment to supporting national efforts to protect Bahrain’s marine and coastal environment, its chief executive officer Yasser Abdulrahim Al Abbasi said.
“We remain dedicated to enhancing our practices to align with the highest international environmental standards.”
Alba chief executive officer Ali Al Baqali expressed pride in Alba’s participation.
“Since Alba’s early operations in the 1970s, and with our long-standing reliance on maritime logistics through the Sitra marine terminal, protecting Bahrain’s coastal and marine environment has been a core pillar of our sustainability ethos, and an integral part of our national responsibility,” he said
He emphasised that the strong co-ordination among the participating entities played a key role in achieving positive outcomes as a result of the joint efforts, reflecting a unified national commitment to safeguarding Bahrain’s natural resources.
Mr Al Baqali also commended Alba’s technical and field teams for their high level of readiness and professionalism, demonstrated through the effective application of international best practices in managing environmental incidents.
Jahezya 2 marks an important step towards enhancing national capabilities to address environmental challenges and improving overall preparedness across various sectors.
It reinforces Bahrain’s growing role as a regional leader in industrial emergency preparedness and marine environmental protection.
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