Manifests project (2023)

The aim of this webinar is to present the results of the project, focusing on experimental work on evaporation, sea trials and the decision support system developed as part of the MANIFESTS (MANaging risks and Impacts From Evaporating and gaseous Substances To population Safety) project.

Maritime accidents involving Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) are challenging to manage, especially when these substances are liable to form toxic or explosive gas clouds. The response must take these risks into account to protect the crew, operators and coastal populations. However, due to a lack of data it can be difficult to assess these risks, for example when it comes to granting a vessel in distress authorisation to enter a port of refuge.

Coordinated by Cedre from January 2021 to April 2023, the MANIFESTS project (MANaging risks and Impacts From Evaporating and gaseous Substances To population Safety) brought together 9 research institutes and authorities from 6 countries (Belgium, France, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) specialising in different areas of marine pollution expertise. For France, the Consortium also benefited from the technical and logistical expertise of the French Navy’s specialed spill response centre CEPPOL during offshore exercises and trials.

The work conducted has led to:

1. Improved knowledge of accidental releases of hazardous substances and in particular the related formation of toxic and explosive gas clouds,
2. Enhanced response capabilities by developing decision support tools and innovative operational guides. These resources will be available via a dedicated online platform, a decision support system (DSS) accessible to emergency response personnel.