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International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds News

03 Oct 2023

Obituary: Captain David J.F. Bruce

Captain David J.F. Bruce, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, RMI Maritime Administrator passed away on Friday, 29 September 2023. Image courtesy RMI

Captain David J.F. Bruce, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, RMI Maritime Administrator passed away on Friday, 29 September 2023. He was a loving husband to Alison for 53 years, father to Gwendoline, and grandfather to Alison and Alexander. Captain Bruce had a storied career and connection with the sea, first going to work at sea in 1957 after his studies at Melville College in Edinburgh…

26 Sep 2022

International Group of P&I Clubs Publishes Sustainability Report

Nick Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of the IGP&I, speaking at the International Group Correspondents Conference 2022 currently being held at the QEII Centre in London. (Photo: IGP&I)

The International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (IGP&I) has set out its Sustainability report and updated Correspondents Guidelines to the global network of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Correspondents listed by its constituent Clubs during its 2022 Correspondents Conference in London, United Kingdom. Both frameworks seek to leverage the collective strength of the IGP&I’s 13-member Clubs and the 65,000 ship owners they represent to further enhance sustainability, safety and best practice across the marine industry.As a forum for its member clubs…

30 Oct 2018

IOPC Funds Is Now 40!

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.

11 Jan 2018

China Oil Spill Compensation Claims Face Iran Payment Snags

(Photo: China's Ministry of Transport)

The reluctance of foreign banks to deal with Iran could complicate any compensation payments resulting from the collision last week of an Iranian oil tanker and a Chinese cargo ship, sources say. The tanker Sanchi, carrying 136,000 tonnes of highly flammable condensate oil, collided with the Chinese dry cargo vessel CF Crystal on Saturday in the East China Sea, causing an oil spill and a blaze that is still raging four days later. Liability has yet to be established but lawyers…

07 Jul 2017

Thailand Accedes to Conventions Covering Oil Pollution Damage

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.

21 Apr 2017

Norway First to Ratify Hazardous Cargo Treaty

Dilek Ayhan, State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, hands over the instrument of ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol to Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO. (Photo: IMO)

Norway has become the first country to become a contracting state to a key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship. The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention), when in force, will provide a regime of liability and compensation for damage caused by HNS cargoes transported by sea, complementing existing regimes already in force for the transport of oil as cargo…

17 Jan 2017

Successful Cooperation for Safe Sea Transport of Oil

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.

17 Jan 2017

IMO Exhibition on Safe Sea Oil Transport

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…

29 Apr 2016

ICS Criticises 'Prestige’ Judgement by Spanish Court

At a meeting of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) this week, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has strongly criticised the judgement of the Spanish Supreme Court in the ‘Prestige’ Case. This judgement (in January 2016, but discussed by the IOPC Funds this week) overturned that of a lower Spanish Court, in La Coruña in 2013, instead finding the Master criminally liable for damages to the environment and sentencing him to two years’ imprisonment (albeit likely to be suspended). It further held that the misconduct deprived the shipowner of the right to limit liability for pollution damage under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention (the “CLC”).

09 Feb 2016

States Urged to Ratify Compensation Regime for Hazardous and Noxious Cargoes

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), together with the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), is urging its Member States to ratify and implement a key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship. The International Convention on Liability and compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention), when in force, will provide a regime of liability and compensation for damage caused by HNS cargoes transported by sea, complementing existing regimes already in force for the transport of oil as cargo…

17 Jul 2015

'Challenging Time' for Shipping Industry - North P&I Chairman

Unpredictable markets and continuing marine claims volatility means the international shipping industry is facing a particularly challenging time, says Pratap Shirke, chairman of North P&I club. His comments are published today (16 July 2015) in the 170 million GT, ‘A’ rated club’s 2015 Management Report. ‘Shipowners continue to operate in unpredictable shipping markets and the economic climate shows little signs of improvement,’ he says. He also notes that risk levels in the industry continue to be volatile, with North’s members experiencing an unusually high level of larger claims during the 2014/15 policy year. ‘The significant number of large claims in excess of US$1 million was unexpected…

17 Jul 2015

Shipping in Rough Waters

Unpredictable markets and continuing marine claims volatility means the international shipping industry is facing a particularly challenging time, says Pratap Shirke, chairman of North P&I club. His comments are published today (16 July 2015) in the 170 million GT, ‘A’ rated club’s 2015 Management Report. ‘Shipowners continue to operate in unpredictable shipping markets and the economic climate shows little signs of improvement,’ he says. He also notes that risk levels in the industry continue to be volatile, with North’s members experiencing an unusually high level of larger claims during the 2014/15 policy year. ‘The significant number of large claims in excess of US$1 million was unexpected…

04 Nov 2013

Ground-breaking Oil Pollution Compensation Fund to be Wound Up

IOPC Fund Meeting: Photo courtesy of the Fund

The governing bodies of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) held recent meetings at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, and decided to wind up the ground-breaking 1971 fund which has since been replaced by the 1992 protocol. The Fund was an international innovation when a global, solidaritory scheme on compensation for the victims of oil pollution caused by tankers was established in 1971. It has proven to be such a great success that the system has been improved twice…

30 Aug 2010

INTERTANKO Nominates Angelo Managing Director

INTERTANKO’s Council will be invited at its October meeting in Singapore to appoint Joseph Angelo, Deputy MD, to succeed Peter Swift as Managing Director on his retirement on 31 December, 2010. In addition, Katharina (Kathi) Stanzel has been appointed Deputy MD. INTERTANKO had an overwhelming level of interest in the position and some highly qualified and capable individuals were shortlisted. “We are grateful and flattered by some of the names who threw their hat into the ring,” says Graham Westgarth, INTERTANKO’s Chairman. Joe Angelo has worked for INTERTANKO for six years, first as Director of Regulatory Affairs and the Americas. Prior to joining INTERTANKO he held various senior roles in the United States Coast Guard…

19 Aug 2002

Seminar to Focus on Tanker Safety

In conjunction with the autumn meetings of the INTERTANKO Executive Committee and Council, INTERTANKO will be organising an international seminar on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation. Jan Kopernicki, Chairman of OCIMF, Dr. Helmut Sohmen, Chairman of ITOPF, Lars Carlsson, Chairman of INTERTANKO, Will Jenkins, Vice-Chairman of OCIMF and Director of ITOPF, Capt. John Hughes, Director of OCIMF, Måns Jacobsson, Director, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC), Capt. Jayant Abhyankar, International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and INTERTANKO MD, Dr. Peter Swift.

26 Jun 2003

Update on IOPCF Supplementary Fund

The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) issued a News Release

14 Dec 1999

Officials Fear Environmental Repercussion From Sunken Tanker

A giant oil slick from the sunken tanker Erika drifted and widened off the northwestern French coast on Dec. 14, and officials worry that changing winds could push it towards land. A spokesman for maritime authorities said the slick from the broken up tanker Erika, estimated at 9,000 to 10,000 tons of viscous fuel oil, was extending as it absorbed seawater. Officials insisted that ecological disaster cannot be ruled out on the Brittany coast, where the Amoco Cadiz spilled over one million barrels of oil in 1978. The oil slick was some 25 nautical miles south off the tourist island of Belle-Ile, itself about 16 nautical miles south of Brittany's Finistere Peninsula, and drifting eastwards at .6 mph.

21 Oct 2005

International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds Assembly

INTERTANKO and ICS restate their full support for the measures that have evolved from the Working Group of the IOPC Fund Assembly. Over the past five years the Assembly and its Working Group have been responsible for the successful development and bringing into effect of increased compensation levels for the victims of oil spills through the adoption of higher liability limits for owners and oil receivers, the introduction of a supplementary fund for those states that wish to avail themselves of further levels of compensation, and an increase in compensation funded by shipowners in those states. Industry also fully supports the extension of STOPIA to all CLC 1992 States which will be of particular benefit to developing States.

06 Nov 2002

IOPCF Issues Update

The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) issued an Update reporting on its October 2002 sessions of the governing bodies. The 1992 Fund now has 82 members. The 1971 Fund Convention ceased to be in force on May 24, 2002. The Spanish Parliament has authorized the Minister of Finance to sign a global settlement agreement involving the owner of the AEGEAN SEA, the insurer, and the 1971 Fund. The Fund will pay the Spanish Government approximately £24 million. A global settlement has been approved involving the insurer of the NAKHODKA and the 1971 and 1992 Funds for payment in full of all claims. Payment of admissible claims involving the ERIKA will be maintained at the 80% level while claimants take legal action.

07 Nov 2002

International Seminar Attracts a Crowd

Close to 300 delegates joined the International seminar with the theme 'Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention, Spill Response and Compensation'. Co-hosted by ITOPF, OCIMF and INTERTANKO, the event took place in Hong Kong on 6 November and formed part of a busy week for the three organizations involved, which included the INTERTANKO Executive Committee and Council meetings. Welcoming the delegates, Jan Kopernicki, Vice President of Shell Shipping and Trading and Chairman of OCIMF, outlined the role of OCIMF and current developments in the industry. Important issues that OCIMF had recently been closely associated with were: encouraging the major Classification Societies to bring about transparent change…

17 Dec 1999

Giant Fuel Oil Slick Threatens French Coast

Authorities along the length of France's Atlantic coast were on alert last Wednesday as a giant fuel oil slick slowly drifted south of Brittany, threatening an ecological disaster. Maritime officials said two navy ships were heading for the slick equipped with floating booms and giant vacuum cleaners to try to contain and pump the oil which escaped from the sunken Maltese-registered tanker Erika. Three more vessels, including a British ship, also equipped with vacuum pumps, were scheduled to join them on Thursday, and a Norwegian ship was due on Friday. Transport Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot said France had also asked for help from Germany and Spain. Despite the international response of equipment and personnel, stormy seas were threatening to hamper the pumping.