Spills are a risk for any type of vessel operating in navigable waterways.  However, the Port and Port Industries have made great strides in spill prevention and response over the years.  Environmental regulations have become extremely stringent, and the best practices to prevent spills have become more advanced.  Any new project that is developed in the Port will include the best available technology, such as loading arms and pumps that automatically shut off in the case of separation from the vessel being loaded. 

Additionally, at the Harbor Island Terminal, the deployment of spill containment booms during loading operations will be required as a best operating practice for this terminal.

In terms of the pipeline connections from tank storage areas to Harbor Island, leaks and spills resulting from modern pipelines are extremely rare because of the modern standards for construction and monitoring.