Timor-Leste
Country Preparedness Overview
Competent authorities
National Directorate of Maritime Transport (DNTM)
IMO focal point
Ministry of Transport and Communication
GI SEA focal point
DNTM
International conventions status
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex I/II)
OPRC 1990
OPRC-HNS 2000
CLC 1992
FUND 1992
Supp Fund 2003
LLMC 1996
HNS Protocol 2010
BUNKER 2001
Nairobi WRC 2007
National framework overview
National Plan
Provincial OSCPs
Incident Management System
Dispersant Policy
NEBA / SIMA
In-Situ Burning
Sensitivity Mapping
Offshore Response Plan
Shoreline Response Plan
Oiled Wildlife Plan
Waste Management Plan
Timor‑Leste is at an early stage in developing national oil spill preparedness. As the country only joined ASEAN in October 2025, it is not yet included in the existing ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan. At present, there are no established government‑led oil spill response plans or policies. However, some international operators, such as Timor Resources, have developed industry‑level oil spill contingency plans that provide an initial foundation for national response capability.
Regulatory framework
- Environmental Basic Law (Decree‑Law No. 26/2012) – National environmental protection and pollution control framework.
- Petroleum Activities Law (Law No. 13/2005, as amended) – Environmental obligations for onshore and offshore oil & gas activities.
- Decree‑Law No. 18/2020 (Onshore Petroleum Operations) – Pollution prevention, environmental management, and restoration requirements for onshore oil & gas.
- National Environmental Policy (2012) – Policy guidance on environmental protection and pollution management.
- Decree‑Law No. 3/2003 (Port Authority) – Port management with general environmental oversight.
- Fisheries Decree‑Laws No. 5/2004 & No. 6/2004 – Marine environmental protection related to fisheries and coastal waters.
A joint partnership between the IMO and Ipieca
Supported by our industry members
