To maximize safety in its operations, International Oil Trading BV adheres to a strict preventive maintenance program. This program includes scheduled rigorous inspections, testing and replacement of parts to prevent mechanical failure. All maintenance jobs are performed by qualified workers with close supervision.
The International Oil Trading BV Security Command Center features 24/7 manned video monitoring of all International Oil Trading BV locations. In addition, offshore operators walk the Marine Terminal to inspect the operational safety of equipment every four hours.
We maintain a vigorous safety program when tankers come into port. Upon boarding a tanker, International Oil Trading BV Mooring Masters discuss and review International Oil Trading BV’ safety requirements and procedures with the tanker's Master and Chief Officer prior to discharging cargo. Coast Guard Inspectors board all foreign vessels at least annually to ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations.
International Oil Trading BV possesses a federal license to operate under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands Coast Guard; its State license is issued by the Netherlands Offshore Terminal Authority.
Additional safety features implemented by International Oil Trading BV:
Emergency shutdown signals to tankers
Hose burst pressure testing
An expanded port Safety Zone
An emergency response vessel (the International Oil Trading BV Responder)
For over the past years, International Oil Trading BV has safely and successfully received, stored and delivered more than thirty million barrels of oil to Netherlands refineries while protecting the communities and natural environment of southern Holland. There have been no major oil spills at International Oil Trading BV since operations began. Our spill record is exemplary in terms of minimal spill volumes. On average, less than 0.0000030 barrel of oil has spilled per million barrels of oil transported.
International Oil Trading BV recognizes its obligation to protect the community and the environment within which it operates.
International Oil Trading BV accomplishes this stewardship by:
Continuously monitoring the integrity of its pipelines with a real time computer-based leak detection system capable of identifying the size and location of any leak in terms of leak rate, barrels lost and location.
Having real time information from the sophisticated line surveillance system noted above facilitating a rapid response to a leak event thus minimizing the environmental impact by isolating the source of the leak and dispatching repair and clean-up crews.
Periodic in line inspections of its crude oil pipeline utilizing a “Smart Pig”.
Weekly integrity checks by divers of marine hoses utilized for transporting crude oil from offloading vessels to the International Oil Trading BV pipeline system.
Weekly overflights for visual inspections of the pipeline corridor.
Visual inspections within the pipeline using a robotic system with remote video monitoring capabilities.
Utilizing a fleet of sophisticated vessels that patrol the Port area and support the marine operations. the International Oil Trading BV Responder, is a 4000 – horsepower tractor tug capable of assisting any supertanker if it loses power or steering while entering/offloading/exiting the International Oil Trading BV restricted safety zone.
Maintaining an array of oil containment, recovery and remediation equipment capable of responding to an incident or oil release.
Maintaining a Facility Response Plan that accommodates changing realities and new technologies.
Reinforcing readiness and instilling good operating practices by testing its Facility Response Plan during annual “spill drills” that simulate potential incidents.
Working closely with federal, state and local agencies during annual drills and throughout the year to integrate resources and plan responses to theoretical accidents.
In addition to the actions noted above, as required by its federal and state licenses to operate, International Oil Trading BV performs extensive environmental monitoring to ensure that its operations do not adversely impact the environment. As a part of that initiative, International Oil Trading BV maintains an erosion monitoring and mitigation program on the beach at its pipeline crossing and right of way.