For the past three months, the EU has been testing its readiness and ability to deal effectively with potential threats. Thanks to the ‘Integrated Resolve 2022’ exercise, which took place at the Port of Gdańsk, it will be better able to respond to hybrid threats with an internal and external dimension.

The exercise took place in two stages. The first consisted of planning a military operation and a civilian mission in the field of common security and defence policy. During the second phase, which ran from 14 to 18 November, a simulation of various hybrid threats was organised. It involved EU institutions, agencies and bodies together with 20 Member States. This included the Port of Gdańsk.

The European Union and NATO crisis management exercise ‘Integrated Resolve 2022’ took place on 17 November in the area of the Mining Basin and Coal Quay, where Port Gdański Eksploatacja is the operator. They were attended by employees of: Maritime Office in Gdynia, Port of Gdańsk Captain’s Office, Port of Gdańsk Authority, the ‘FLORIAN’ Port Fire Brigade, Port Gdański Eksploatacja, the Water Police and the Ambulance Service.

‘The exercises were related to the handling of explosives in the Port of Gdańsk, which takes place in accordance with the rules set out in the “Technological Instructions for Handling Class 1 Dangerous Goods” of 2019,’ explained Janusz Sokołowski, Director of the Safety Department of Port of Gdańsk Authority S.A.

The following were used in the exercises: the TYTAN tugboat acting as a fireboat, the PIORUN rapid response boat, a diesel locomotive with wagons, a harbour crane with crew, a ship
with Class 1 materials (Zodiak II), Scania GCBA 5/32, Renault GCBA 14/60 and Steyr SCRT fire engines.

The exercise scenario involved setting fire to previously prepared flammable materials on the ship, with the aim of starting a fire while the explosives were being loaded. The participants were tasked with efficiently directing the rescue and firefighting operation. What counted was the teamwork and communication between the various participants. Procedures for notifying and alarming the emergency services were also tested.

But let’s take it one step at a time: the unit receiving the containers with explosives was moored in a designated place at the Coal Quay in the Mining Basin. During the handling operation of a container containing up to 28 tonnes of bursting charges, an incendiary charge was set off. The stevedoring materials protecting the cargo during its transport from the wagon to the ship’s hold were ignited. The wagons with the remaining cargo were removed from the affected area. The fire station attempted to extinguish the fire with hand-held equipment. To no avail. The fire brigade entities were then called into action. The PIORUN rapid response boat supplied the fire engines with water. In accordance with procedures from the Scania GCBA 5/32 vehicle, two firefighting water jets were directed on board the vessel. The fire was brought under control. But this was not the end of the action. The container, which had been exposed to high temperatures, has to be removed from the ship’s hold using a crane. A GCBA 14/60 crew on attendant duty entered the scene to cool down the inside of the container. A technical rescue vehicle with a specialised COBRA system was dispatched. Unfortunately, during the firefighting operations, one of the employees securing the load suffered smoke poisoning. The victim was given first aid and then handed over to the medical rescue team.

The action went smoothly, the hazard was eliminated and the site secured pending investigation by the appointed committee. The second level of security at the Mining Basin port facility area has been cancelled.

Contact for the media:
Anna Drozd – spokesperson for the Port of Gdańsk
e-mail: anna.drozd@portgdansk.pl
tel: (+48) 727 064 605