TOTALFINA, which has worked with the authorities since the beginning within the framework of the Polmar Mer and Polmar Terre plans, has accelerated and strengthened its involvement by making the following two commitments:
1. TOTALFINA will finance the pumping of the Erika wreckage
TOTALFINA will directly finance the pumping of the fuel oil contained in the Erika wreckage. This will enable the compensation budget from insurers and the IOPC-International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (which amounts to FRF 1.2 billion or EUR 183 million) to be dedicated first to indemnifying people who have suffered economic damage and to reimbursing costs incurred in cleaning up sea and land pollution. TOTALFINA will provide assistance so that operations are carried out under the best technical conditions and in a timely manner, subject to weather conditions.
2. TOTALFINA will set up a FRF 40 million (EUR 6.1 million) emergency fund to assist cleaning up the shore
This fund will be allocated to two programs conducted in agreement with authorities in the affected districts and regions.
The programs will cover:
- purchase of equipment to collect, store and evacuate pollution,
- provision of qualified teams specialized in cleaning up oil pollution and evacuating waste. TOTALFINA has already contacted several companies in this respect, so that people and technical resources can be provided next week.
Cleaning up will be done with full respect of the environment. Particular attention will be paid to the work performed on the islands, because of their delicate eco-systems.
TOTALFINA notes that since the accident took place, the Group has promptly answered all requests for specialists, equipment and products from authorities in the affected regions.
TOTALFINA will also put into place programs for restoring the ecological balance with the assistance of local communities and environmental protection organizations. This long-term initiative will begin as soon as the shores are cleaned up. |
