PRESS RELEASE - Gibraltar Port Authority Conducts Successful Oil Spill Response Exercise

Gibraltar Port Authority Conducts Successful Oil Spill Response Exercise

An oil spill response exercise was successfully conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, 16–17 September 2025, testing the ability of response teams to act quickly and effectively in the event of a spill.

The two-day drill, organised by Oil Spill Response Limited and Brightside Services Limited, both contracted oil spill response providers for the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA), involved the deployment of booms, oil skimmers, shoreline protection equipment, and coordinated operations between on-water and onshore response units. A Boluda tug, equipped with boom-handling capabilities, was also deployed during the exercise.

The exercise underscores GPA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing preparedness through improved coordination, ensuring equipment readiness, and strengthening cooperation between contractors, partner agencies, and stakeholders.

Captain of the Port, John Ghio, said: "Exercises like this are important to ensure that Gibraltar remains ready to respond swiftly and effectively to any potential environmental incident. They allow us to test our systems, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and confirm that our equipment and personnel are fully prepared. I would like to thank all those who participated for their professionalism and commitment, which make these exercises such a valuable contribution to our overall resilience."

ENDS