Case Studies

EPE successfully completed the management and cleanup operation of waste improperly disposed of at a Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) power plant in Kosovo.  The project, financed by the World Bank through its Clean-up and land reclamation project, followed international good practice and innovative procedures.

The project lasted almost three years, EPE managed the containment, packaging and export from the site of the varying types of wastes.

The project included:

This project was important because not only did it eliminate hazardous waste that was affecting the population surrounding the area, but it also helped establish and promote safe practices, including proper waste management, in a country where such precautions were not previously taken.  Remediating land and properly disposing of waste is essential to reviving the environment and life, but establishing safe practices including proper waste management and disposal for current and future operations will protect against future harm.

CHIMA S.A. solvent storage facilities took fire and caused the spill up of almost all solvents which were stored in the plant. Several tanks went off and some exploded causing contamination outside the boundaries of the plant, including the shoreline and sea.

EPE responded to the spill from both sea and ground level.  Spill response operations commenced within a couple of hours from the event.

Soil, water and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for the classification of the waste and the mapping of contamination. Hot spots were identified and remediated with priority. An environmental remediation proposal was prepared and site remediation actions commenced soon after the event.

All tanks and other structures were demolished to ground level and the site was rehabilitated to its former condition. Follow-up monitoring was being conducted for several months after completion of rehabilitation works.

EPE undertook the rehabilitation of the former phosphoric and sulphuric fertilizer plant in Vassiliko, Cyprus. The project was funded by the Ministry of Commerce of Cyprus and lasted more than one year.

The project began with the clean-up of tanks and pipings from hazardous sludges and acids. The anhydrous ammonia spheres were emptied and cut separately. Waste was treated on site with physicochemical methods. A hazardous landfill was created for the disposal of NORM waste. Enclosures were set up in many locations for the removal of asbestos waste.

Once all hazardous waste was removed from the plant, demolition operations commenced.  Several buildings were demolished including the stack, ammonia spheres, tanks and several other steel and concrete structures.

During the Israeli army invasion of Lebanon in 2006, a number of fuel tanks at the power plant located 30 km south of Beirut, were destroyed, which caused a major ecological disaster. A series of international tenders issued by UNDP and HRC were awarded to Environmental Protection Engineering SA (EPE) for the oil spill clean-up of Lebanon sites, collection, transportation and temporary storage of wastes and development of shoreline survey. For the implementation of the projects, EPE mounted large-scale operations in Lebanon providing experts who have a wealth of experience and knowledge in provision of response and environmental services, trained manpower and specialized equipment and other resources.

Main facts:

While approaching a mooring off the cliffside tourist town of Thira on Santorini Island (Greece) on April 5, 2007, the cruise ship SEA DIAMOND came into contact with an uncharted extension of rocky reef and suffered hull damage. An emergency evacuation of the 1156 passengers and 391 crew members was carried out. As a result of an oil spillage from the wreck, approx. 6km of shoreline was polluted in what is one of the most touristic areas worldwide.

The backbone of the emergency response and also the project-phase clean-up work was provided by Environmental Protection Engineering S.A. (EPE), contracted by the SEA DIAMOND owners in the early hours of the emergency. EPE quickly began mobilizing its resources from its various bases around the country and arrived on site on April 6 with boom, skimmers, and the first two of the four self-propelled (‘AKTAIA’) skimming vessels it would use in the response. Vacuum trucks, more booms, support vessels, and further ‘AKTAIA’ skimming vessels arrived soon afterwards.

Our group organized and implemented recovery of oil from the sea, plus the protection of the marine and shoreline environment. Among the many services we provided were mobilization of several pollution response/clean-up vessels, specialized equipment and personnel. After completion of the oil collection at sea, shoreline cleanup operations continued, performed by our teams of oil spill technicians and experts which included remediation of all affected rocky and sandy beaches. In 2009, our group returned to the site to assist with offloading of oils and other liquids from the wreck. On this occasion our response included, expanding and maintaining the oil boom/containment area encircling the wreck, hull inspection and cutting/tapping by use of ROVs, pumping, temporary storage and final disposal of recovered oils.

Vessel facts:

In March 2014, M/V YUSUF CEPNIOGLU grounded on the rocky coast of northern Mykonos Island resulting in extensive pollution of the sea and shoreline, due to the release of fuel oil, plus hundreds of shipping containers loaded on the ship. EPE was on site soon after the incident occurred and undertook recovery of oil and debris from sea surface and coastline of Mykonos, as well as neighboring islands and islets with archaeological interest such as Rinia and Delos Island. At the same time with the response operations, the company coordinated and conducted pumping operations plus the management of the various wastes produced from the incident. The total duration of response and cleaning operations was 21 months.

Vessel facts:

In December 2010, Ro-Ro Aegean Star collided with the dock in the port of Mytilene causing a Tier 2 oil spill incident. EPE was assigned for the sea and shoreline oil spill response operation and mobilized experts, trained technicians and a significant number of resources such as antipollution vessel, containment booms, support crafts, skimmers and various vehicles. Our company conducted a shoreline survey as well in order to assess the extent of the affected shore areas and undertake the clean-up operations.

Main facts:

In March 2012, tanker supply vessel ALFA I, carrying 2,100 tons of oil, collided with a shipwreck in Elefsis bay and sank a few minutes later. The wreck (which) started leaking heavy oil resulted in extensive pollution of the bay and also affected 20km of coastline. Environmental Protection Engineering SA (EPE) undertook spill response operations including shoreline cleanup and offloading of fuel oil from the ship. Numerous oil spill response vessels, plus specialized equipment were mobilized to conduct oil recovery operations, protection of fish farms and clam, plus oyster cultures in the surrounding area. As a result several response teams were deployed for numerous months performing shoreline clean-up of the bay area, plus the northern shoreline of Salamina Island.

Main facts:

In 2010 “GERAKI” a product/chemical tanker was part loaded in the Far East with various grades of palm oil totaling 25.000tn. Following failure of the cargo heating system the remaining palm oil was solidified and needed heating in order to recur in liquid phase and come back in to a pumpable condition. In April 2013, Environmental Protection Engineering S.A. was appointed by cargo owners to heat, tranship the remaining Cargo, Strip and clean the tanks of the Vessel along with carrying out all required marine environment protection measures.

Main facts: