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Bunker Oil Pollution Damage News

19 Aug 2020

Wakashio Spill Highlights Importance of Adopting Latest International Legal Instruments

(Satellite image Š2020 Maxar Technologies)

The ongoing oil pollution incident from the grounded 203,000 DWT bulk carrier MV Wakashio is threatening an ecological catastrophe around the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, endangering corals, fish and other marine life already under threat from climate change (IPCC 2018).In addition, it risks bringing devastating consequences for the economy, food security, health and tourism industry. Tourism in Mauritius - a popular destination for its pristine beaches - reportedly contributed about $1.6 billion to its economy during the last year…

14 Aug 2020

Who Pays for Mauritius Oil Spill and How Much?

(Satellite image Š2020 Maxar Technologies)

A Japanese bulk carrier struck a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius on July 25, spilling about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and triggering a state of "environmental emergency".Scientists say the spill is the country's worst ecological disaster, killing wildlife and damaging pristine waters that attract tourists from around the globe. The full impact is still unfolding. As residents scramble to mop up the oil slicks, they are seeing dead eels and fish floating…

04 Dec 2018

Danish Maritime Authority Calls for Renewal of Shipping Documents

Time has come to apply for renewal of CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates from the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA). The certificates must be renewed once a year when the underlying insurance expires.According to DMA, ships that are required to hold a certificate must not operate without valid certificates.Many certificates expire on 20 February 2019.These are typically  CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates based on P&I insurance.Some CLC, Bunker, Athens and WRC Certificates expire on dates other than 20 February 2019. That typically goes for certificates issued on the basis of declarations on cover for liability (Blue Cards) from insurance companies that are not members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

19 Jan 2018

Myanmar Accedes to Treaty Covering Bunker Oil Pollution Damage

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty ensuring that adequate compensation is available to persons that suffer damage caused by oil spills, when carried as fuel in ships’ bunkers, has been ratified by Myanmar. The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (BUNKER) applies to damage caused on the territory, including the territorial sea, and in exclusive economic zones of States under the Convention. Under the Convention, the registered owner of a vessel is required to maintain compulsory insurance cover, and there is also the requirement for ‘direct action’ – which allows a claim for compensation for pollution damage to be brought directly against an insurer.

07 Dec 2017

DMA Call for Various Certificates

Time has come to apply for renewal of CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates from the Danish Maritime Authority(DMA). The certificates must be renewed once a year when the underlying insurance expires. Ships that are required to hold a certificate must not operate without valid certificates. Many certificates expire on 20 February 2018; these are typically the CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates based on P&I insurance. Some CLC, Bunker, Athens and WRC Certificates expire on dates other than 20 February 2018. That typically goes for certificates issued on the basis of declarations on cover for liability (Blue Cards) from insurance companies that are not members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

17 Nov 2017

Cooperation for Oil Spill Preparedness in Africa

A regional conference of countries in west, central and southern Africa has committed to continue to work at both national and regional levels to boost preparedness to deal with oil spill incidents which could be devastating both for the marine environment and financially. The conference (6-9 November) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, was hosted by CIAPOL, the Ivoirian pollution control centre. It brought together industry and government focal points from 20 out of 22 west, central and southern African countries covered by the Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa (GI-WACAF). This project is run by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)…

20 Dec 2016

Renewal Time for CLC, Bunker, Athens and WRC Certificates

Time has come for most shipowners to apply for renewal of their CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates from the Danish Maritime Authority. Certificates must be renewed when the underlying insurance expires. Ships subject to a requirement for a certificate are not allowed to operate without the certificate. All CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates based on P&I insurance typically expire on 20 February 2017. Some CLC, Bunker, Athens and WRC Certificates will expire on a date other than 20 February 2017. That typically goes for certificates issued on the basis of declarations on cover for liability (Blue Cards) from insurance companies that are not members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

26 May 2016

Saint Lucia Accedes to Four IMO Treaties

Photo: IMO

Saint Lucia has acceded to four International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaties, including conventions covering ballast water management (BWM Convention) and emissions from ship exhausts and energy efficiency (MARPOL Annex VI). Tafawa Williams, Alternate Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to IMO, met IMO’s Frederick Kenney, Director, Legal Affairs and External Relations Division, on May 26 to deposit the instruments of accession. This brings the number of States party to the Ballast Water Management Convention to 50, representing 34.81 percent of the world's merchant fleet tonnage.

08 Mar 2016

Fiji Accedes to Six IMO Environmental Treaties

Kitack Lim (left) with Jitoko Tikolevu (Photo: IMO)

Fiji has acceded to six IMO treaties, including important conventions covering ballast water management and the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships. This brings the number of States party to the Ballast Water Management Convention to 49, with the aggregate remaining at 34.82 percent of the world's merchant fleet tonnage (based on global tonnage data as at end-February 2016). Jitoko Tikolevu, High Commissioner of Fiji to the United Kingdom, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim to deposit the instruments of accession.

13 Dec 2015

Renewal of Bunker, CLC, Athens and WRC Certificates

Time has come for most shipowners to apply for renewal of Bunker, CLC, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates from the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA). Certificates must be renewed when the underlying insurance expires. Ships subject to a requirement for a certificate are not allowed to operate without the certificate. All Bunker, CLC, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates based on P&I insurance typically expire on 20 February 2016. We invite shipowners to apply for renewed certificates from the DMA in due time. Some Bunker, CLC, Athens and WRC Certificates expire on a date other than 20 February 2016. That typically goes for certificates…

09 Nov 2015

Liberia Registry Launches Web-based Liability Certificate Facility

Photo courtesy of The Liberian Registry

The Liberian Registry has launched a new service enabling shipowners and managers to apply online for certification under the major international liability conventions. Earlier this year, Liberia launched an online certification facility on its secure eMaritime website to expedite shipowners’ compliance with the requirements of the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 (WRC). Following the success of that initiative, the registry decided to further enhance…

28 Apr 2009

WQIS Guarantee for IMO Bunker Convention

On November 21, 2008, The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (IMO Bunker Convention) entered into force establishing shipowner liability for spills of oil when carried as fuel in ships’ bunkers. In the months since its inception, 12 additional countries have adopted the Convention, bringing the total number to 38. Importantly, this affects 75.5% of world tonnage, according to Lloyd's Register/Fairplay World Fleet Statistics, 31 December 2007. Water Quality Insurance Syndicate (WQIS) is authorized by the majority of the flag states to provide the financial guarantee needed to obtain the certificate vessels must produce in compliance of this Convention.

25 Nov 2008

Bunker Convention Advisement

The US Coast Guard published an informal notice advising owners and operators of US-flag vessels that trade internationally of means for compliance with the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention). Because the United States is not party to the Convention, but party states require covered vessels to provide evidence of compliance, owners and operators of US-flag vessels should consider applying for the Bunker Convention Certificate from a party state or they may elect to cooperate with their third party liability insurance provider. (Source: Holland & Knight)

20 Nov 2008

Singapore –Bunkers Convention

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding the maritime community that the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention) comes into force on 21 November 2008. As of that date, ships having a gross tonnage greater than 1000 may only enter the port of Singapore if they carry on board a Bunker Convention Certificate (BCC) to attest that insurance or other financial security to cover liability for bunker oil pollution damage is in place. Note that oil tankers having a gross tonnage of greater than 1000, either carrying oil in bulk as cargo or with oil residues on board need not carry a BCC since they are already covered by the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992 (CLC Convention).

12 May 2008

Marshall Islands Accedes to Key IMO Conventions

One of the world's largest shipping nations, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, has acceded to five major IMO Conventions. Mr. Joseph A. Bigler, Counsellor to the Maritime Administration, Republic of the Marshall Islands, has deposited with IMO Secretary-General, Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, instruments of accession to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (1996 London Convention Protocol); the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention); the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation…

04 Feb 2008

Major Shipping Nation Sccedes to key Conventions

One of the world's largest shipowning nations, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, has acceded to two major IMO Conventions and deposited its annual assessment for 2008 with the Organization. His Excellency Mr. Basil G. O'Brien, High Commissioner and Permanent Representative of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to IMO has deposited with IMO Secretary-General, Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, instruments of accession to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS Convention) and the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunkers Convention). The AFS Convention…

03 Dec 2007

Bunker Convention to Enter Force in '08

The last significant gap in the international regime for compensating victims of oil spills from ships is set to be closed, with the entry into force on 21 November 2008 of an international treaty covering liability and compensation for pollution damage caused by spills of oil, when carried as fuel in ships' bunkers. Current regimes covering oil spills do not include bunker oil spills from vessels other than tankers. Criteria for entry into force of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 were met on 21 November 2007, following accession to the treaty by Sierra Leone. The Convention was adopted in 2001 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)…