This report (2020) by Jorma Rytkönen, Kirsten S. Jørgensen and Ossi Tonteri (Finnish Environment Institute) highlights the critical challenges and gaps found for the Northern Periphery and Arctic region in improving oil spill recovery infrastructure and the preparedness level.

The environmental factors that influence the selection of the recovery tools are assessed, followed by a short analysis of the increased traffic in the Arctic. Finally, the focus is turned to the most significant gaps identified in the latest guidebooks and viability analyses for the Arctic oil spill recovery.

The gaps related to the existing conventions concerning the safe navigation in the Arctic were outlined mainly based on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Polar Code. The technical challenges of oil spill recovery in Arctic waters are described through three main modes: mechanical recovery, the use of dispersants and in-situ burning. In addition, the factors affecting oil spill preparedness in the Arctic, Search and Rescue (SAR), the lack of infrastructure and communications are discussed in more detail.

• Download the report here. 
• Join the OSR in Arctic an Icy Conditions webinar on 7 April! Read more here.

The report is part of the work carried out within the project Arctic Preparedness Platform for Oil Spill and Other Environmental Damages (APP4SEA), funded by the EU Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme.