Abu Dhabi Ports completed a crisis practice scenario in cooperation with the Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management team in Abu Dhabi and with the participation of 12 governmental entities. Abu Dhabi Ports is the master developer, operator and manager of the emirate’s commercial  ports as well as Khalifa Industrial Zone.

Part of the exercise was to test the response time in dealing with the alleged incident, when multiple government entities are involved and expected to react immediately based on a scenario involving the grounding of a vessel as well as an oil spill that could have environmental repercussions on the port’s marine wildlife.

During the scenario, Abu Dhabi Ports activated its emergency and crisis response plan, immediately informing the company’s crisis management team in the company and representatives of government agencies to deal with the accident scenario.

The exercise saw a common format to determine the roles and functions of each entity checking available resources, to make appropriate decisions to manage the crisis scenario resulting from the accident. An important part Abu Dhabi Ports’ exercise also measured the effectiveness of its crisis communication plan and the timing of exchange of information with the media on both traditional and digital platforms, and the role it plays in containing crisis scenarios.

The plan focused on utilising social media, in particular, and how this form of communication can mitigate reputational damage through fast transmission of breaking news.

Commenting on this exercise, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Ports CEO stated: “we responded to the crisis scenario quickly and diligently, with the cooperation of all government entities that have joined us. A combination of heightened readiness and willingness to harness all resources and possibilities to cooperate with Abu Dhabi Ports in this scenario to meet any crisis or emergency maritime disasters was clearly evident”.

Mohamed Al Tamimi, acting vice president regulations, HSE and security, Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “given the importance attached by Abu Dhabi Ports to enhance security and safety levels in our ports, we have set up this joint exercise as a pro-active step towards practicing any eventuality and, in turn, raising efficiency, saving lives and property and reducing any possible environmental pollution that may result as a consequence.”