AMOSPlan: Cooperative Industry Response Framework
Key Features of AMOSPlan
Industry Mutual Aid
AMOSPlan enables petroleum and energy companies to provide mutual support during oil spill incidents through cooperative resource sharing. These arrangements are facilitated under AMOSC’s established hiring agreements.
Tiered Response Model
For smaller, site-level spills, companies coordinate directly with each other using designated Mutual Aid Contacts.
AMOSC provides administrative support and, when required, escalates support by mobilising additional personnel, equipment, or expertise.
National Integration
AMOSPlan ensures seamless integration between industry resources and the broader national response structure, aligning with Australia’s commitment under the OPRC Convention and supporting consistent, high-quality spill response outcomes.
Australian Oil Spill Response Framework
The umbrella oil pollution contingency planning and response arrangement for Australia is:
Australia’s capability to respond to oil pollution incidents is founded on strong partnerships between government, industry, and supporting agencies. Central to this system is:
The National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies
The National Plan is Australia’s overarching contingency and response framework. In place since 1973, it is designed to protect Australia’s coastline and marine environment from the impacts of oil and chemical spills.
Key features of the National Plan include:
Collaborative Management
Managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) the National Plan brings together Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, along with the petroleum, exploration, and shipping industries.
Governance and Oversight
AMSA received strategic guidance from the National Plan Strategic Advisory Committee and National Plan Industry Forum, which include representatives from Commonwealth and State government, and industry.
Response Resources
National Plan equipment – such as dispersant systems, containment and recovery devices, and ship-to-ship transfer equipment – is pre-positioned across Australia.
Training and Capability Building
A comprehensive training program delivered by AMSA, AMOSC, State agencies, and other industry organisations like AMOSC maintains its readiness.
Industry Involvement in the National Plan
The petroleum and energy industry participates in the National Plan through three key avenues.
Individual Company Arrangements
Each company maintains its own spill response plans and resources.
The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre (AMOSC)
Since 1991, AMOSC has been providing 24/7 trained personnel and equipment, conducting training, managing mutual aid arrangements, and offering crucial technical support.
AMOSC plays a vital role by:
- Providing equipment and trained personnel on a 24/7 standby basis
- Delivering specialist spill training services
- Administering the AMOSPlan mutual aid arrangements
- Offering technical advice on oil spill response, and
- Providing resources and support to government combat/control agencies via the National Plan.
Oil Industry Mutual Aid – AMOSPlan
AMOSPlan replaces the previous Marine Oil Spills Action Plan (MOSAP) and governs the cooperative sharing of industry resources.
Established in 1971 and managed by AMOSC, these voluntary mutual aid arrangements allow one company to access the personnel, equipment, and expertise of another during spill incidents.
- Local Mutual Aid contacts coordinate between companies.
- Hiring agreements and service contracts, facilitated by AMOSC, govern the legal and logistical arrangements.