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Iopc Funds News

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…

10 Aug 2020

IMO Updates Virtual Meetings Calendar

Š William / Adobe Stock

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published its remote meetings calendar for the rest of 2020 after its initial agenda of IMO Council and Committees sessions was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.The first scheduled meeting is set to be a simultaneous, remote extraordinary sessions of all Committees (expected to be held 16-18 September), to address procedural matters. This follows decisions of the IMO Council's thirty second extraordinary session (summary here C.ES 32)…

07 Dec 2018

International Maritime Prize Goes to Birgit Sølling Olsen

The prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2017 has been presented to Mrs. Birgit Sølling Olsen, former Deputy Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority.International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim presented the prize on Thursday (6 December) at the annual IMO Awards ceremony,“Mrs. Olsen has had a distinguished career in the maritime field and made an outstanding contribution to the objectives of IMO. Her comprehensive knowledge of maritime law is combined with a deep understanding of the business aspects and growth potential of the maritime industry,” Mr Lim said.The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council decided in July to award the Prize to Mrs.

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.

21 Jun 2018

Malta Prepares for Hazardous, Noxious Substance Spills

With the rise in transport by sea of chemicals and gases, in bulk and containerized, adequate preparedness for response to potential spill incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) is increasingly important. The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) is hosting a regional workshop on response to such incidents, in Valletta, Malta (20-21 June). Regional cooperation on oil and HNS spill response and contingency planning is an efficient and cost-effective way of preparing for possible spills – through the sharing of information, knowledge and/or response equipment. A recent example of cooperation in this field was an agreement signed between Cyprus, Greece and Israel following support from REMPEC.

27 Apr 2018

IMO Urges Governments to Implement HNS Convention

The IMO treaty covering compensation for damage caused by Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) transported by sea is the subject of a workshop underway at International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters, London (26-27 April). The event  is focused on helping governments to understand and implement the HNS Convention, and follows excellent progress made earlier this week, when Canada and Turkey signed up to the treaty. This brings the total contributing cargo to 28.7 million tonns – 72% of that needed for the treaty to enter into force. By addressing practical issues raised by States implementing the Convention, the workshop aims to enable further governments to sign up to the treaty.

13 Mar 2018

Spill Preparedness and Response – A Collaborative Effort

International Maritime Organization (IMO) has joined leading oil spill experts and stakeholders to discuss future issues concerning oil spill preparedness, response and restoration – at the Interspill 2018 conference and exhibition in London (13-15 March). Speaking at the opening session, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said that “many years of collaborative work between governments and industry, at IMO, have helped reduce dramatically the number of oil spills and the amount of oil spilt from ships”. Lim outlined how individual incidents had been catalysts for significant improvements, through IMO regulations, in areas such as ship design, operation, disposal of engine room wastes, as well as the framework for compensating the victims of pollution incidents.

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…

28 Sep 2017

Liability Treaties at Pacific Islands

An International Maritime Organization (IMO)/Pacific Community (SPC) workshop in Fiji is supporting Pacific Island countries (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) to implement treaties dealing with liability and compensation. The workshop, taking place in Suva (26-29 September), is providing a comprehensive overview of the IMO liability regime, including treaties covering wreck removal, salvage, carriage of hazardous and noxious substances, passengers, CLC, Fund, Bunkers Convention and limitation of liability.

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.

27 Apr 2017

IMO’s Legal Committee to Promote HNS 2010

International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Legal Committee is expected to consider adopting a resolution to encourage the ratification and implementation of the 2010 HNS Convention, when it meets for its 104th session (26-28 April). Norway recently became the first country to become a Contracting State to this key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship. Also up for consideration is a draft Assembly resolution to allow for the delegation of authority to issue insurance certificates under the CLC and the HNS Convention. The Committee is also expected to confirm the addition of mandatory insurance certificates into the consolidated draft list of certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships, 2017.

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…

22 Dec 2016

Exhibition on Risk of Oil Pollution from Ships

The International Group is collaborating with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC) Funds and other industry organisations to produce an exhibition at the IMO to mark the achievements of the international community over the past 50 years to achieve a sustained reduction in major oil spills from ships; to establish effective systems for preparedness and response if there is an incident; and to create a comprehensive mechanism for providing compensation. In 1967, the grounding of the Torrey Canyon focused the world's attention on the risks and environmental impact of major marine oil spills.

10 Nov 2016

Workshop Promotes IMO Liability and Compensation Regime

A national workshop on theInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) liability and compensation conventions is underway in Bangkok, Thailand (8 -11 November). The workshop is providing a comprehensive overview of the IMO liability conventions, including those covering the wreck removal, salvage, carriage of hazardous and noxious substances, CLC, Fund and Bunkers Convention. In looking at the history of the treaties’ development, their principles, implementation and practical implications – IMO is supporting the implementation and enforcement of the full liability regime in the country. Attending participants include government legal officers and legislative drafters as well as stakeholders from the private sector.

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…

14 Jun 2011

Interview: Joe Angelo, MD, INTERTANKO

In shipping, there’s little that one can count on from year to year. The word “change” comes to mind immediately. Another constant is a steady hand at the helm at the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), the voice of the world’s collective tanker market. So, when Joe Angelo replaced long time (10+ years) INTERTANKO stalwart Peter Swift as INTERTANKO Managing Director less than 4 months ago, industry watched closely for any changes in course. But INTERTANKO's new MD is anything but an unknown quantity and he clearly hit the ground running. In April, MarPro caught up with him at his Arlington, VA offices for a SITREP on the world of tankers.

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…

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…

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…

02 Mar 2005

New Rules for Oil Spill Compensation Enter Force

Increased levels of compensation will be available for victims of oil pollution from oil tanker accidents on 3 March 2005 with the entry into force of the 2003 Protocol establishing an International Oil Pollution Compensation Supplementary Fund. The Fund will supplement the compensation available under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention (CLC) and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND), with an additional, third tier of compensation. Participation is optional and is open to all States which are parties to the 1992 Fund Convention. The total amount of compensation payable for any one incident will be limited to a combined total of 750 million Special Drawing Rights (SDR) (just over US$1…