Oil Pollution Damage News

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…

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…

On the world stage, the grounding of the supertanker TORREY CANYON on Pollard’s Rock in the Seven Stones reef between Cornwall and the Scilly Isles is more significant than the 1989 EXXON VALDEZ oil spill. The TORREY CANYON was one of the first tankers large enough (120,000 tons capacity) to be designated a supertanker. It was also the first loaded supertanker to spill its entire cargo. After salvage efforts failed and the oil flow increased, the British Government decided to bomb the ship in an attempt to burn the oil. This was a radical decision because the wreck was outside the three-mile territorial sea limit prevalent at that time. The Royal Air Force had difficulty hitting the ship, so the Royal Navy sent its planes in.

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.

The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) have provided help in 150 oil spill incidents since its inception in 1978. Denmark has been a member of these crucial organisations since the beginning.According to a release from Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), IOPC-funds began with the Torrey Canyon oil spill disaster in 1967, which clearly demonstrated the need for an effective international regime to pay for the massive damage caused by major oil spills.Director, Maritime Regulation and Legal Affairs in the DMA, Kristina Ravn, said: “Oil spills occur from time to time and that’s why the IOPC-funds remain important, ensuring due compensation for the victims.

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.

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.

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)…

Thailand has become the latest State to accede to the international conventions on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) and the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (Fund). The CLC Convention ensures that compensation is available to people who suffer oil pollution damage from maritime casualties involving oil-carrying ships, and places liability on the owner of the ship from which the polluting oil escaped or was discharged. The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) provide additional financial compensation for oil pollution damage that occurs in Member States, resulting from spills of persistent oil from tankers.

The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the IMO, the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework, a demonstrably improved shipping industry, good systems of preparedness and response and adequate compensation for those affected by spills. Demand for oil remains strong and shipping remains the most effective means of meeting that demand.

The 50 years since the grounding of the tanker Torrey Canyon in 1967 have seen dramatic and sustained reduction in major oil spills from ships, thanks to cooperation between Governments and industry. The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework…

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.

Maritime lawyer Dr. Frank Lawrence Wiswall Junior, former Chair of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee and Vice President (Honoris Causa) of the Comité Maritime International (CMI), has received the International Maritime Prize for 2015 for his contribution to the work of IMO over many years. Presenting the Prize, during a ceremony at IMO Headquarters on Monday, December 5, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim highlighted Dr. Wiswall's dedication and leadership in the field of international maritime law over several decades…

​Myanmar has deposited its instrument of accession to the 1992 Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC). The efforts to bring the legislation into national law followed the participation of Myanmar at a five-day workshop hosted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) in November 2015, during which Government officials from Myanmar gained insight into IMO treaties on liability and compensation and the benefits, rights and obligations of Parties to these conventions. Kyaw Htin Lin, Counsellor, of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the United Kingdom accompanied by Ms. Wai Wai Lin, 1st Secretary and Ms. Zin May Hnin, 2nd Secretary deposited the instrument with MR.

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.

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.

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…

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…

33 countries and a number of international organisations have just met at the IMO headquarters in London under the chairmanship of Denmark and Indonesia. On this occasion, liability for damages and the obligation to take out insurance in connection with transboundary oil pollution damage resulting from offshore activities were considered, and this has resulted in the drafting of guidance that is expected to be presented to the IMO Legal Committee in the spring of 2016. On several occasions, Denmark and Indonesia have tried to make the IMO undertake to develop an international convention in this area, but resistance from a number of major oil producing countries have made this impossible until now.

The UK P&I Club offered the following briefing on Chinese marine pollution law. Ship owners and operators trading in Chinese waters face an extensive set of new legal and regulatory requirements governing their roles and responsibilities in oil pollution incidents. China’s Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships Regulation was implemented on 1st March 2010. It dovetails with the Marine Environment Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, laying down the principles and outlining the country’s marine pollution legal system. However, the detailed requirements under the Regulation have yet to be revealed. Chinese ministries have other supplementary regulations in the pipeline, such as the management and funding of a ship oil pollution compensation fund.

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.

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)

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).