A maneuver aiming at fighting oil spills kicked off at Hurghada port on Wednesday under the sponsorship of Petrosafe company.

The drills, codenamed Masr El Mahrousa 4, comes as part the government's keenness on protecting maritime environment.

Environment Affairs Agency, Red Sea Ports Authority and a number of oil companies are taking part in the drills.

The maneuver revolves around stimulating an oil spill to assess measures taken to control it.

Helicopters and a number of oil spill response equipment, including booms, pumps, cranes and hoses, are being used in the drills.