NEWS: ASAP leads Pollution Response Exercise at ADRIA 2025 in Dubrovnik

On 1–2 October 2025, the historic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia hosted ADRIA 2025 – Adriatic Sea SARex / POLex / COMex, a set of exercises taking place as part of the ongoing Multipurpose Maritime Operation ADRIAm led by EFCA, which brings together national authorities, European agencies, and regional organisations to test and strengthen cooperation at sea.

The event featured three large-scale live simulations:
• SARex (Search and Rescue Exercise)
• POLex (Pollution Response Exercise)
• COMex (CISE Communication Exercise)

POLex – the ASAP contribution

The Pollution Response Exercise (POLex) was implemented in the framework of the ASAP project with the aim to establish a harmonised regional system, enhance preparedness, and improve operational response to marine pollution incidents.

During the exercise, participating authorities tested joint Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed under ASAP. By simulating a real pollution emergency, POLex provided a unique opportunity to validate cross-border interoperability, crisis communication, and coordination between national Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) and EU agencies.

However, due to extreme wind conditions — with strong north-eastern gusts reaching up to 45 knots — the exercise had to be terminated early. Continuing operations would have compromised safety limits and protocols. As a precaution, the containment booms were retrieved back on board the vessels. This decision underlined the importance of prioritising safety even in the context of preparedness exercises.

For ASAP, POLex still represented a key milestone in building a regional pollution response mechanism that integrates national contingency plans with EU-level frameworks while also demonstrating the complexity of real-life maritime operations where environmental and weather conditions play a decisive role.

Looking ahead

The lessons learned in Dubrovnik will feed directly into the ASAP Strategy for Protecting and Safeguarding Adriatic Sensitive Areas, the main output of the project. This strategy will serve as a reference framework for future cooperation, ensuring that the Adriatic Sea – a region of ecological and economic importance – is better prepared to face pollution risks. These lessons will also guide the preparation and organisation of the next Exercise at Sea, scheduled for spring 2026 in Slovenia.