BPCL to deploy speed boat for security of SPM terminal

Public sector Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) will be deploying a speed boat with a contingent of CISF Quick reaction team as part of enhancing the security of the Single Point Mooring (SPM) terminal in the Arabian sea tomorrow.
Kerala Home minister, Ramesh Chennithala, will formally launch the speed boat at a function at Wellington Island.
BPCL had set up the SPM terminal about 19.5 km off shore for receiving crude oil from very large crude carriers through subsea pipe line into storage tanks located at Shore Tank Farm (STF) at Puthuvypin in 2007. Crude oil is thereafter pumped to Kochi refinery for refining.

For the security of SPM, BPCL had deployed Marine guards on the Maintenance and located adjacent to the SPM on a round the clock basis.
The state government had declared SPM as a prohibited area for a distance of about one nautical mile to prevent fishing boats approaching closer to SPM to avoid any damage to SPM and floating hoses, a BPCL press release said.
A review conducted by defence minister in April last year had recommended deployment of a speed boat for further protection of the SPM.
BPCL has sourced a boat with a speed of 20 knots for this purpose.

The deployment of the speed boat with a contingent of CISF Quick Reaction team will help in preventing any intrusion to the protected area around SPM.