A Hazardous and Noxious Substance (HNS) is defined as any substance other than oil which, if introduced into the marine environment, is likely to create hazards to human health, to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities or to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea.

Recently, HNS spill incidents are getting increase due to high maritime transportation of HNS resulting from high portion of petrochemical and/or chemical industries. If HNS spill incidents occurred, it could result in fire, explosion, suffocation, toxic ingredient, corrosion and etc.

As the risk of the HNS accident increases in the NOWPAP region, the NOWPAP member states are now trying to increase their respective national/regional capabilities on HNS spill preparedness and response, and proposing necessary measures for ratification of the OPRC-HNS Protocol in the near future.Based upon the recognition of the need that the NOWPAP member states have to respond jointly to HNS issues at the regional level, each country recently started to develop regional co-operation system on HNS spill prevention and response, especially, within the framework of NOWPAP and MERRAC, with support from IMO and UNEP.

NOWPAP MERRAC maintains and updates regularly HNS related information. The list of HNS spill accidents include the location, i.e., longitude and latitude, name of ship, type of HNS, etc.

More information about HNS (NOWPAP Regional Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan, specific projects, publications etc.) please visit MERRAC Website. Any comments and suggestions please send to dinrac@mep.gov.cn.