First CDSA-ITOPF Joint SPRO Training Workshop Successfully Held in Dalian

Dalian, China – June 10, 2025 – The inaugural CDSA-ITOPF Joint SPRO Training Workshop, jointly organized by the China Diving & Salvage Association (CDSA) and ITOPF, was successfully convened at Dalian Maritime University (DMU). The conference was hosted by Dalian Maritime University. This landmark event marked the first international collaborative training initiative between the two organizations, bringing together over 100 participants from maritime administrations, academic institutions, and ship pollution response companies to advance holistic solutions for ship pollution response – from effective clean-up operations to claims submissions. 

Opening Ceremony

President Song Jiahui, David Campion, and Luo Zhongshan, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Dalian Maritime University, delivered speeches during the opening ceremony of the conference.

President Song Jiahui emphasized the strategic importance of international cooperation in vessel safety, pollution response, and claims systems, advocating for new global standards in maritime emergency preparedness. 

Mr. David Campion shared decades of ITOPF’s oil spill response experience in China, underscoring the critical role of rapid emergency coordination and claims processing. He highlighted the NEBA (Net Environmental Benefit Analysis) framework for balancing ecological and operational priorities. 

Secretary Luo Zhongshan positioned the event as a practical contribution to China’s ecological civilization goals and global ocean governance, pledging DMU’s commitment to cross-sector innovation platforms for pollution prevention. 

During the opening ceremony, President Song Jiahui and David Campion presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Dalian Maritime University in recognition of the university's strong support for the first "CDSA-ITOPF SPRO Training Workshop." Secretary Luo Zhongshan accepted the certificate on behalf of Dalian Maritime University. 

Keynote Speech

During the training workshop, thematic presentations were delivered by Wang Zhengqiang, Director of the Self-Regulation and Legal Affairs Department of the China Diving & Salvage Association (CDSA); Li Ying, Dean of the Navigation College at Dalian Maritime University; David Campion, Head of the ITOPF Singapore Office/Senior Technical Adviser; Jamie Stowen-Bradford, Technical Support Coordinator of ITOPF; and Huang Zhentang, International Cooperation Advisor of CDSA.

In Wang Zhengqiang’s presentation titled "Current Status and Development of the Association's Ship Pollution Prevention Work," he introduced CDSA's development history, organizational structure, and key achievements. He highlighted that the association's establishment of a dedicated diver accident insurance system and the "Divers' Day" on May 12 initiative have strengthened the foundation for diver team development. Regarding evaluation and training, CDSA has transitioned from approval-based management to industry self-regulation, focusing on advancing ship pollution cleanup capability assessments and emergency training, with support from the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport. Moving forward, the association will continue to prioritize standard-setting and international cooperation. 

In her presentation "Ship Pollution Monitoring and Detection Technologies," Li Ying pointed out the severity of current marine pollution issues. Her team addresses three major challenges—theory, technology, and platforms—by developing innovative solutions such as multi-source satellite information sensing and airborne laser fluorescence detection. These technologies have been successfully applied in incidents like the "July 16 Dalian Xingang Oil Spill," enabling precise oil spill monitoring and source tracing, showcasing Dalian Maritime University's research capabilities and international influence in this field.

David Campion delivered three presentations: "Background to oil spill response decisions," "At-Sea Response," and "Shoreline Response." Drawing on his extensive practical experience, he provided in-depth analysis of oil spill decision-making and response. For marine oil spill response, he emphasized the need for accurate identification of spill characteristics and trends, with real-time on-site action being critical. In Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) decision-making, he weighed the pros and cons of skimmers, chemical dispersants, and other methods through case studies, offering practical guidance. For shoreline cleanup, he outlined ITOPF's survey procedures for contaminated coastlines, stressing the importance of consensus and coordination among stakeholders. He also explained common cleanup methods, their advantages and limitations, and real-world examples, highlighting the need to prevent further oil dispersion during cleanup. 

In his presentation "'Backgound to clean-up claim submission," Jamie Stowen-Bradford focused on accelerating compensation processes and increasing payout ratios. He emphasized that the key to successful claims lies in developing a cleanup plan from the outset and establishing a streamlined claims process. He explained the claims mechanism under international conventions, covering compulsory insurance, claims and compensation, and liability limits, while providing actionable recommendations. In his follow-up presentation, "Avoid delays - The importance of accuracy," he clarified claimable items during containment, recovery, and cleanup, as well as the detailed information required for claims submission. He stressed the importance of accurate usage records, recommending supporting evidence such as photos and data sheets, and explaining the effectiveness of chosen cleanup methods. Through case studies and live interactions, he demonstrated the key information needed for claims under different response scenarios.

Huang Zhentang's presentation, "Introduction to the IG-CDSA SPRO Agreement Template," outlined the organizational structures and responsibilities of the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG), ITOPF, and the CDSA SPRO Working Group. He shared a memorandum between IG and CDSA on jointly issuing the "Ship Pollution Cleanup Agreement Sample" and "Ship Pollution Cleanup Fee Schedule," comparing the structures of the IG-CDSA agreement with those of maritime authorities. He provided detailed explanations on insurance and cleanup cost clauses, followed by a breakdown of specific fee-related issues in the appendix. He clarified that the agreement applies only to CDSA members and IG-insured vessels.

Q&A

During the interactive session that followed, attendees raised questions and engaged in discussions with the speakers on the day's training content and challenges encountered in their own operations.

Closing & Certification

President Song concluded by awarding certificates of attendance to participants and reaffirming CDSA’s commitment to annual collaborative trainings with ITOPF.