The Ministry Delegate in charge of the Environment is organising, this 26 April off the port of Nador, a simulation exercise for the fight against accidental marine pollution by hydrocarbons "Simulex 2016".

Initiated in collaboration with the various civil, military, and paramilitary departments, the simulation exercise for the fight against accidental pollution at the port of Nador is part of the National Emergency Plan (PNU) relating to preparation and the fight against accidental marine pollution. The Ministry of the Environment specifies, on its website, that the choice of Nador is explained by the density of maritime traffic in the Mediterranean and the risks of pollution incurred as well as the existence of a stock of equipment for the fight against accidental marine pollution by hydrocarbons. The exercise is a simulation of a collision between a container ship and an oil tanker carrying 60,000 tonnes of crude oil. This collision will cause a tear in the wall of one of the tanker's tanks, causing the spill at sea of 6,000 tonnes of crude oil, which would threaten a large part of the coastline. The conduct of operations at sea will be placed under the direction of the Royal Navy with the support of the means of the Royal Air Forces and the Royal Gendarmerie. As for the conduct of land-based response operations, it will be placed under the direction of Civil Protection in collaboration with the concerned departments, while interventions at the level of the port of Nador fall under the competencies of the National Ports Agency. The monitoring and control of the exercise will be ensured by a national command post in Rabat.