Compensation Regime for Hazardous and Noxious Cargoes
Two ratifications to a key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship have brought the instrument a step closer to entry into force.
Canada and Turkey on Monday (23 April) deposited their instruments of ratification to the 2010 Protocol to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (2010 HNS Convention).
When in force, the treaty will provide a regime of liability and compensation for damage caused by HNS cargoes transported by sea, including oil and chemicals, and covers not only pollution damage, but also the risks of fire and explosion, including loss of life or personal injury as well as loss of or damage to property.
The HNS Convention establishes the principle that the 'polluter pays' by ensuring that the shipping and HNS industries provide compensation for those who have suffered loss or damage resulting from an HNS incident. An HNS Fund will be established, to pay compensation once shipowner's liability is exhausted. This Fund will be financed through contributions paid post incident by receivers of HNS cargoes.
Both Canada and Turkey provided, as required by the treaty, data on the total quantities of liable contributing cargo. Turkey reported more than 25.4 million tonnes of cargo received.
Entry into force of the treaty requires accession by at least 12 States, meeting certain criteria in relation to tonnage and reporting annually the quantity of HNS cargo received in a State. The treaty requires a total quantity of at least 40 million tonnes of cargo contributing to the general account to have been received in the preceding calendar year.
The treaty has now been ratified by three States, Canada, Norway and Turkey. The total quantity of contributing cargo has reached 28.7 million tonnes, or nearly 72% of that required for entry into force.
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim welcomed the notable progress towards entry into force of the HNS Convention, seen as the key missing piece needed to complete IMO’s comprehensive liability and compensation regime.
“I thank Canada, Norway and Turkey for their commitment and strongly encourage other Member States to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol. The IMO Secretariat stands ready to assist States considering ratifying the Convention,” Lim said.
Abdurrahman Bilgiç, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to IMO, handed over Turkey’s instrument of ratification during IMO’s Legal Committee, which is meeting 23-25 April.
Earlier, Ms. Sarah Fountain Smith, Deputy High Commissioner, High commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, deposited Canada’s instrument of ratification with IMO Secretary-General Lim.
