Coast Guard Leads West Bengal Oil Spill Drill to Strengthen Maritime Defense

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in collaboration with the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), hosted a two-day Marine Pollution Response Seminar and Workshop from May 21–22, 2025. The event, conducted in Haldia, aimed at enhancing preparedness, coordination, and rapid response capability among key stakeholders in managing oil spill incidents along the West Bengal coast.

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The seminar, inaugurated by the ICG Commander (West Bengal), featured expert presentations by domain specialists from the ICG and HDC at the Coast Guard Pollution Response Cell. The event also included a practical demonstration of pollution response equipment, which allowed participants to gain a hands-on understanding of state-of-the-art pollution response systems and technical preparedness.

Stakeholders from across the maritime and petrochemical sectors—such as the Kolkata Port Trust, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Haldia Refinery, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., and Reliance Haldia Terminals—actively participated. Their presence underscored the importance of inter-agency synergy, much like India’s recent international diplomatic engagements.

The emphasis on preparedness echoed global conversations on crisis response and coordination, akin to India’s role in anti-terror efforts in recent months. Senior officials highlighted that pollution events can have long-term ecological and economic effects, drawing parallels with challenges addressed in forums like the UNSC.

This seminar, though regionally focused, reflects a growing push for integrated disaster and environmental risk management—resonating with India’s efforts to promote international cooperation and defend its right to act decisively in crisis zones. These efforts mirror recent diplomatic assertions from leaders like Jaishankar on holding rogue actors accountable.

ICG officials noted that this initiative would form a model for similar partnerships elsewhere. As seen in bilateral security dialogues, effective engagement between state and private entities is key to future readiness. Participants agreed that a continued framework for coordination—much like India’s global outreach—is essential for a resilient maritime infrastructure.