Conferences and Seminars

Updated 15 July 2010

This section provides information on conferences, seminars and workshops attended by the IOPC Funds staff during 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in reverse date order.

REPSOL
Madrid, Spain

On 7 July 2010, Mr José Maura, Head of the Claims Department, and Ms Ana Cuesta, Claims Administrator, attended a conference at REPSOL in Madrid, Spain.

Mr Maura gave a presentation on the general framework of the international compensation regime for oil pollution and this was followed by a presentation by Ms Cuesta, detailing the IOPC Funds' claims and assessment processes.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss issues relating to the compensation regime and claims handling, and around 50 REPSOL participants attended.

33rd AMOP Technical Seminar on Environmental Contamination and Response
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

From 7-11 June 2010, Ms Chiara Della Mea (IOPC Funds' Claims Manager) and Ms Katharina Stanzel (IOPC Funds' Technical Advisor), attended the 33rd AMOP Technical Seminar on Environmental Contamination and Response held in Halifax, Canada, followed by a workshop on shoreline cleanup assessment.

The seminar is organised annually by the Emergencies Science and Technology Section (ESTS) of Environment Canada. The ESTS is a Centre of Excellence for research and development on a variety of topics related to environmental emergencies caused by spilled hazardous materials. The aim of the seminar is to provide a forum for professionals working in the field of oil and hazardous materials spills to facilitate the transfer of scientific results and is intended to link research and the operational community. The seminar features plenary sessions of presentations on spill-related topics including Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE).

During the seminar, Ms Chiara Della Mea presented a paper on 'Recovering Clean up Costs: Some Recent Incidents Involving the IOPC Funds', which covered aspects of admissibility and assessment of claims in recent Fund cases.

The Technical Advisor, Ms Katharina Stanzel, also gave a presentation entitled 'Knock-on Effects of Oil Spills from Ships - Economic Damage and Costs for Monitoring and Impact Assessment Studies - Who Pays?'. This focussed on the scope of the Conventions with regards to environmental studies and reinstatement measures.

The workshop on shoreline cleanup assessment techniques specifically addressed the physical coastal processes and shoreline types in Atlantic Canada as well as the procedures used in assessment and data collection by Canadian authorities.

Workshop on the improvement of administrative capacity
of using compensation rights in oil incidents
Ankara, Turkey

On 8-10 June 2010, the Head of Claims Department, Mr José Maura, attended a workshop on the improvement of administrative capacity on using compensation rights in oil incidents, held in Ankara, Turkey. The workshop was organised in cooperation with the Turkish Under Secretariat for Maritime Affairs and included participation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (SASEMAR). The aim of the workshop was to establish the necessary legal and organisational framework for the use of compensation rights arising from international conventions, and to learn from the best practices of EU member states.

On Wednesday 9 June, Mr Maura gave a presentation on the international compensation regime for oil pollution, based on the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions, and conducted a claims management exercise on Thursday 10 June.

MEMAC (Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre)

The Legal Counsel, Mr Nobuhiro Tsuyuki, attended the OPRC-HNS/ HNS Conventions and Protocols Regional Legal and Technical Meeting of MEMAC (Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre), which was held from 24 - 26 May 2010 in Doha, State of Qatar.

Mr Tsuyuki gave a presentation titled 'The HNS Convention and Protocol – Compensation Regime for HNS Incidents', in which he explained the 1996 HNS Convention and the new Protocol that was adopted in April 2010. Presentations were also given by experts from IMO, ITOPF and the Swedish Coast Guard.

During the meeting, representatives from MEMAC member states (Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E.) actively discussed the compensation regime in order to consider whether they could ratify the HNS Convention.

International Seminar on Marine Oil Pollution
Algiers, Algeria

Mr José Maura, the Head of the Claims Department, attended an international seminar on marine oil pollution held on 19 and 20 May in Algiers, Algeria. The two-day meeting was attended by representatives from 14 member countries of the Association of African oil producing countries (APPA) including Algeria, and many experts, lawyers, academics and representatives of UN agencies and oil companies. The seminar was organised around three themes: maritime law on oil pollution, the experience of APPA member countries in the field of prevention, intervention, and protection against marine pollution by oil.

On the Wednesday 19 May, Mr Maura gave a presentation on the general framework of the international compensation regime for oil pollution and on Thursday 20 May, he gave a further presentation on two recent IOPC Funds' incidents, the Volgoneft 139, and the Hebei Spirit incidents.

First Adriatic Oil Spill Conference - Opatija, Croatia

From the 12 - 14 May 2010, Ms Chiara Della Mea (IOPC Funds' Claims Manager) attended the First Adriatic Oil Spill Conference held in Opatija, Croatia. The Conference covered the following three groups of topics: preparedness for response and contingency planning and training; legal aspects of oil spill response and relevant international regulations and; practical, technical and scientific aspects of oil spill response.

The Conference also highlighted the importance of the protection of the Adriatic Sea against oil pollution incidents and the importance of having the capability to efficiently respond to these, particularly for all Adriatic coastal countries.

On Thursday 14, May, Ms Chiara Della Mea gave a presentation on the international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage, which looked at the legal aspects of spill response and international regulations.

The Conference was attended by approximately 130 delegates from six riparian countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia), as well as their counterparts from other parts of Europe and the Mediterranean, and also included participation from the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia and relevant international organizations and institutions such as IMO, REMPEC, EMSA, Cedre and ITOPF.

Spillcon 2010 - Australia

On Monday 12 April, the Director, Mr Willem Oosterveen, and the Technical Advisor, Ms Kathi Stanzel, assisted IMO during an awareness seminar on Regional Cooperation for Preparedness for and Response to Maritime Pollution Incidents and the Bunker Convention for Pacific island countries, organised through the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

From 13-16 April 2010, the Director and the Technical Advisor attended Spillcon 2010, Asia-Pacific's International Oil Spill Prevention & Preparedness Conference, in Melbourne, Australia.

The Conference was organised by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and the Australian Institute of Petroleum, supported by the Port of Melbourne Corporation, Maritime Safety Victoria and the International Maritime Organization. The event covered a variety of oil spill issues including cause and prevention, preparedness, response management and environmental issues.

On Tuesday 13 April, the Director gave a presentation at the conference on recent developments of the international regime for oil pollution damage, including a brief introduction of the regime, an update on the Hebei Spirit and Volgoneft 139 incidents, information on the 1992 Fund 6th intersessional Working group and the 1996 HNS Convention and draft 2010 Protocol.

Mission to Japan
PAJ Oil Spill Symposium 2010

The Legal Counsel, Mr Nobuhiro Tsuyuki, participated in the PAJ Oil Spill Symposium 2010 – Reality and Formality in Oil Spill Response and Training / Exercise, which was held on 3 and 4 March 2010 in Tokyo, Japan, by the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ). Mr Tsuyuki made a presentation titled "International Regime for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage and the Draft Protocol to the HNS Convention" to about 150 representatives from the oil industry, governments and others.

Visit to Thailand

On 5 February 2010 the Director, Willem Oosterveen, visited the Marine Department of the Kingdom of Thailand, to meet government officials responsible for matters related to the IOPC Funds, and to explain the functioning, advantages and disadvantages of the international regime for compensation for oil pollution damage caused by spills from tankers.

The Director met with Mr Preecha Phetwong, Deputy Director General, Mr Thanatip Jantarapakde, Chief of the IMO Affairs Section, Mr Watchara Chiemanukulkit, Engineer, Ship Standard Division, and five other officials of the Marine Department. The Director explained the international regime and pointed out that, in his view, Thailand was insufficiently protected in case of a major oil pollution incident.

Mr Preecha Phetwong mentioned that the national law for oil spill damage was at the moment fault based, with no compulsory insurance. It was estimated that most ships carrying oil to Thai ports and terminals would be foreign-flagged, and that in practice about 90% of the ships had general P&I cover. He explained that, for these reasons, a bill implementing the 1992 CLC had been submitted some time ago and was awaiting approval in Parliament. After the adoption of that bill, Thailand would ratify the 1992 CLC and start a national consideration and consultation process regarding joining the IOPC Funds. In the meantime, lawyers in the Marine Department had already started the drafting process for the legislation implementing the 1992 Fund Convention, and the Director was requested to assist in finding suitable legislation of existing Fund member states which could serve as a model or guideline for the draft Thai legislation. It was estimated that the total receipts of contributing oil in Thailand would be around 40 million tons per annum and that all these receipts were by oil majors.

It was agreed that the contact would be maintained with a view to facilitating the consideration and consultation process regarding the 1992 Fund Convention in Thailand.

Visit to Japan

The Director, Mr Willem Oosterveen, and the Legal Counsel, Mr Nobuhiro Tsuyuki, visited Japan from 25 to 29 January 2010. The last time a Director of the IOPC Funds visited Japan for any length of time was in 2006, so that the main purpose of this visit was to renew important contacts with the Japanese Government and relevant industries and organisations.

On 25 January , the Director met with representatives of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA), to discuss various issues regarding the IOPC Funds and the interests of the JSA in the proper functioning of the Organisation, including the prospects for the forthcoming HNS Diplomatic Conference.

He also attended a meeting at the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ), where the issues discussed included recent developments concerning the definition of “ship” and the compensation regime for oil pollution damage in China. The potential risks of oil pollution affecting Japanese waters and coast of the Sakhalin Project in the Russian Federation were also discussed. The PAJ expressed its gratitude to the IOPC Funds for sending a guest speaker invitation to the PAJ International Symposium in March 2010.

Another meeting took place at the Japan P&I Club (JPIA), where various matters regarding the IOPC Funds were discussed, in particular the outcome of the Shosei Maru case, the newly-established Working Group of the 1992 Fund, and the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference on the HNS Protocol.

On 26 January , the Director attended a lunch with a member of the Funds’ Audit Body, the Deputy Director General of the Maritime Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the Director General of the Japan Transport Safety Board, the Vice-Admiral of the Japan Coast Guard, and the Deputy Director General of the Kanto District Transport Bureau, the latter three being former employees of the IOPC Funds, and the Director of the Maritime Bureau of MLIT. This lunch is a traditional event, hosted by the Director whenever he visits Japan.

The Director then attended a meeting with lawyers at the offices of Okabe & Yamaguchi, the Japanese law firm that has acted on behalf of the IOPC Funds in the past. Various issues were discussed, including the recent Shosei Maru case.

On 27 January, the Director met with the Commandant of the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG), the Vice-Admiral, the Director of Marine Environment Protection and Disaster Prevention Division and a Senior Liaison Officer to discuss various issues, among them the role of the JCG in case of an oil pollution incident in Japanese waters. The Director received valuable information and documentation on the organisation and tasks of the JCG. The impact of piracy on the activities of the JCG and the IOPC Funds were also discussed.

The Director then met with the President of the Japan Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (JMDPC), where he was briefed on JMDPC’s organisational structure and role, as well as its framework for taking measures in case of pollution incidents. The Director also received documentation on the activities and the latest techniques of the JMDPC.

Several meeting were later held with senior representatives of MLIT, to discuss issues concerning the management of the IOPC Funds, the newly-established Working Group of the 1992 Fund, and the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference on the HNS Protocol. The Director was assured of the continued support of the Japanese Government in the future.

In the afternoon the Director gave a lecture to an audience of some 100 guests at the Petroleum Industry Marine Association of Japan (PIMA), entitled “The international regime for compensation for oil pollution damage: important recent developments”. After a brief introduction to the main features of the international regime, the Director explained the functioning of the IOPC Funds in respect of oil reporting and the levying of contributions, and gave an overview of recent developments in respect of outstanding oil reports and contributions. He also dealt with the possible relevance of piracy and terrorism issues for the international regime, and gave an update on the most important incident the IOPC Fund are handling at the moment, the Hebei Spirit spill, which occurred in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 2007. The lecture was well received and the Chairman of PIMA and the Deputy Director General of the Maritime Bureau of MLIT both expressed their appreciation to the Director and the IOPC Funds.

An afternoon meeting was held on the 28 January at the Kobe District Transport Bureau of MLIT with the Director of the Marine Safety and Environment Department, and the Assistant Director of the Emergency Reponse Division of the Hyogo Prefectural Government. A boat trip was undertaken into the Akashi Strait, where the most recent incident had taken place. The trip also gave the Director an opportunity to view the Kobe port area. Afterwards, the Director was given a presentation highlighting the density of traffic in the Kobe port area and the Akashi Strait, and the vulnerability of the area to oil pollution incidents, providing an overview and analysis of a recent successful operation to remove the (bunker) oil from a ship that had sunk in the Akashi Strait after a collision.

An evening meeting was then held with the General Marine Surveyors & Co, Ltd, the company the IOPC Funds appointed in the Shosei Maru case to discuss various issues in relation to the Shosei Maru case.

Claims Workshop in Teheran

The Director of the IOPC Funds, Willem Oosterveen, the Head of the Claims Department, José Maura, and Claims Administrator Ana Cuesta visited the Islamic Republic of Iran from 11 to 14 January 2010 to conduct a claims workshop on the international compensation regime for oil pollution, based on the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions. The workshop took place on 12 and 13 January, and consisted of a general overview of the legal framework of the international compensation regime, followed by several presentations covering the different types of claims that the IOPC Funds have to deal with, namely claims for the cost of clean-up and preventive measures, claims for losses in the fisheries and tourism sectors, and claims for environmental damage.

The workshop was attended by some 25 participants from the maritime authorities in Iran, fishery associations and various students. A number of interesting questions were raised and comments made by the participants, leading to lively discussion and a successful workshop.

2009

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Lecture

On 23 November 2009 the Legal Counsel, Mr Nobuhiro Tsuyuki, gave a lecture at the IOPC Funds' Secretariat to five participants of the Training and Capacity-building programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

International Conference on Maritime Law, Shanghai China

On 13 and 14 November 2009 the Legal Counsel, Mr Nobuhiro Tsuyuki, attended the Seventh International Conference on Maritime Law in Shanghai China. The conference was hosted by the China Maritime Law Association. Mr Tsuyuki gave a presentation on “The International Regime on Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage” to an audience of 200 Chinese maritime lawyers.

Regional Workshop and Conference of the Global Initiative for West and Central Africa (GI WACAF)

From 2 - 5 November 2009, Mr José Maura (Head, Claims Department) attended the ‘Regional Workshop and Conference of the Global Initiative for West and Central Africa (GI WACAF)’, which was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. GI WACAF is a partnership between the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Petroleum Industry Environment Conservation Association (IPIECA) to enhance the capacity of countries to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills.

The Workshop and Conference was organised by the Cameroon Pipeline Steering and Monitoring Committee, in collaboration with IMO/IPIECA, and was attended by 120 participants. The event covered a variety of topics, including the review of progress achieved and the exchange of experiences, developing national and regional action plans, delivering training on OPRC 90, 1992 CLC and Fund Conventions and a review of the Emergency Protocol to the Abidjan Convention.

Mr Maura gave a workshop on claims for compensation and the international regime of compensation for oil pollution damage which was very well received. The workshop concentrated in particular on the need for countries in the region to accede to the 1992 CLC and Fund Conventions and an interesting discussion took place on claims for compensation, in particular those for environmental damages.

University Master in Maritime Sciences of the Law Faculty Lecture

On 2 November 2009 the Legal Counsel, Mr Nobuhiro Tsuyuki, gave a lecture at the IOPC Funds' Secretariat on the international compensation regime to 22 students from the Inter-University Master in Maritime Sciences of the Law Faculty from the Ghent and Antwerp University (Belgium).

Lloyd’s Maritime Academy; Managing Maritime Emergencies event,
18-20 May 2009

The Director and the Information Officer of the Funds participated in Managing Maritime Emergencies, an event organised by Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, held in London on 18-20 May 2009. The theme of the event was “Identifying risk, planning and managing emergencies, crisis communication”.

On Tuesday 19 May, the Director gave a presentation on oil spill management and funding, entitled “The international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage; overview and recent developments”. After providing a general overview of the international regime regarding compensation for oil pollution damage, he addressed the development of the international regime over the years, the voluntary industry arrangements of STOPIA 2006 and TOPIA 2006, as well as important recent developments in the Volgoneft 139 and Hebei Spirit incidents. Finally he described recent developments in the preparation of a Protocol to the 1996 HNS Convention, aiming at a rapid entry into force of a regime of liability and compensation for damage in connection with the carriage of cargoes of hazardous and noxious substances by sea.

Singapore Maritime Week; The International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference & Exhibition 2009; 21-24 April 2009,
Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore

The Director and the Technical Adviser of the Funds participated in The International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference & Exhibition 2009, an event organised in the context of Singapore Maritime Week 2009, held from 21-24 April 2009 at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore. The theme of the conference was “Developing a safety blue print to minimize risk and liability”.

The Technical Adviser, together with representatives of ITOPF, a P&I Club and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, conducted a pre-conference workshop on 20 April, aimed at enhancing the understanding of the international regime for compensation for oil pollution damage from tankers. The workshop consisted of lectures explaining the international legal framework as well as the roles of claimants, P&I Clubs and the IOPC Funds, followed by participants solving real life, practical compensation issues, based on past experience and present policies of the Funds.

The Director chaired the second day of the Conference which, inter alia, dealt with developments in the legal framework, both within IMO and the IOPC Funds, with emerging challenges in relation to chemical spills, some important case studies and the human factor in prevention and preparedness. The Director also gave a presentation entitled “The international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage; overview and recent developments”. In the afternoon an interactive response simulation took place, where a number of experts took on the roles of the various stakeholders during a major oil pollution incident on the basis of an imaginary oil spill scenario. The decisions taken under the circumstances were explained by the experts, thus providing insight in the wide variety and complexity of issues to be dealt with in the wake of a major oil pollution incident. The role of the press was also dealt with and participants benefited from the many questions asked by the experts.

Lloyd’s List Oil Pollution Conference 2009

The Director participated in Lloyd’s List Oil Pollution Conference, held in London from 16 & 17 March 2009. The theme of the conference was “Regulation, Liability and Pollution Response”.

On Monday 16 March, the Director made a presentation entitled “The international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage; overview and recent developments”. After providing a general overview of the international regime regarding compensation for oil pollution damage, he also addressed the development of the international regime over the years, the voluntary arrangements of STOPIA and TOPIA and important recent developments in the Volgoneft 139 and Hebei Spirit incidents.

Other presenters on regulation and liability included Ms Patricia Charlebois of the International Maritime Organisation, Colin de la Rue of Ince & Co, Jonathan Hare of Skuld P&I Club and John Wren, an independent consultant and former representative for the United Kingdom in IMO and various other international bodies engaged in shipping matters.

Interspill 2009, 12-14 May 2009, Marseille

The Director and a number of staff members of the Funds’ Secretariat participated in Interspill 2009, held from 12-14 May 2009 in Marseille, France.

Members of the Funds’ Secretariat conducted a workshop on 11 May, which was attended by participants from a variety of countries and was well-received. The workshop aimed at enhancing the understanding of the international regime for compensation for oil pollution damage from tankers. It consisted of lectures explaining the international legal framework as well as the roles of claimants, P&I Clubs and the IOPC Funds, followed by participants solving real life, practical compensation issues, based on past experience and present policies of the Funds.

At Interspill 2009 the Funds were represented with a stand which was visited by many participants of the Conference and Exhibition and where members of the Secretariat provided information and answered questions about the operations of the Funds and its activities worldwide. Documentation about the Funds in all three official languages was made available to interested participants. The Funds’ staff members also benefited from the opportunity to attend lectures and learn about the technical issues related to oil spill response and clean-up equipment available on the market today. The Head of the Claims Department also co-chaired a session of the Conference later in the week.

During the Conference, the Director gave a presentation on oil spill management and funding, entitled “The international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage; overview and recent developments”. After providing a general overview of the international regime regarding compensation for oil pollution damage, he addressed the development of the international regime over the years, the voluntary industry arrangements of STOPIA 2006 and TOPIA 2006, as well as important recent developments in the Volgoneft 139 and Hebei Spirit incidents. Finally he described recent developments in the preparation of a Protocol to the 1996 HNS Convention, aiming at a rapid entry into force of a regime of liability and compensation for damage in connection with the carriage of cargoes of hazardous and noxious substances by sea.

14th CEDRE Information Day, Paris

On 5 March 2009, Katharina Stanzel and Chrystelle Clément attended the 14th CEDRE Information Day, organised by the Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution at INHES in Paris.

The seminar focused on the impact and legal statutory evolution of accidental water pollution and dealt with French law as well as international conventions. Ms Stanzel, Technical Advisor, presented a paper on recent developments in the international compensation regimes and referred to major incidents which affected France such as the Erika and the Prestige.

The seminar was attended by some seventy participants from the public and private sectors. Ms Stanzel and Ms Clément took this opportunity to meet local groups who shared a common interest in water pollution by oil or chemical substances and answered queries regarding the compensation regimes.

2008

Claims and Compensation Workshop, Madagascar

From 18 to 22 August 2008 José Maura attended the ‘Oil Pollution Claims and Compensation Workshop’, which was held in Madagascar. Topics discussed were claims for clean-up and preventative measures and property damage, claims for economic loss in the fisheries and tourist sector and claims for environmental damage. The Workshop was attended by various judges from different courts and ITOPF were also present. The workshop was very well received by all those present.

Lloyd's Maritime Academy 2008, London

On 8 July 2008 Nobuhiro Tsuyuki attended the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy in London and gave a lecture entitled ‘Oil spill management and funding’ at the ‘Managing Maritime Emergencies Seminar’, which was organised by the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy.

UK Spill 2008 Seminar, Southampton

On 2 and 3 July 2008 the Director attended the UKSPILL08 Marine Spill Seminar in Southampton. More than 90 people attended the event, mostly from European countries.

Guest of honour at the occasion was former UK SOSREP Robin Middleton. He was made an honorary life member of UKSpill, following the CBE awarded to him in June 2008.

As part of the program the Director visited the OSRL/EARL stockpile centre and attended various presentations on oil pollution preparedness and response. He also attended an oil spill exercise involving various response vessels and an aerial surveillance and response aircraft.

2nd Seoul International Maritime Forum 2008

On 27 and 28 May 2008, upon the invitation of the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, the Director participated in the 2nd Seoul International Maritime Forum, the theme of which was 'How to efficiently assist compensation for oil pollution damages'.

The Director made a presentation to the forum entitled “The role of the IOPC Funds in the Hebei Spirit incident; future agenda for compensation of claimants”. Apart from providing a general overview of the international regime regarding compensation for oil pollution damage, the Director also addressed in his presentation the problems that tend to arise in the handling of a major oil pollution incident.

Other presenters included Andrew Bardot, Secretary and Executive Officer of the International Group of P&I Clubs, Jean Serge Rohart, President of the Comité Maritime International (CMI) and representatives from France, Spain, Japan and the Philippines who gave presentations on major oil pollution incidents that had occurred in their national waters in recent years. A representative of the Republic of Korea gave a presentation on the progress made with the handling of the Hebei Spirit incident so far, as well as on the prospects for the handling of that incident in the future.

The Director also used the opportunity to meet with the Minister for Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

IOSC 2008; Savannah, Georgia ( USA)

From 4 to 8 May 2008 the Director attended the International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) 2008, which was held in Savannah, Georgia ( USA). The Conference theme was 'Creating a Culture of Preparedness'. Over 2,500 people from 80 countries attended the technical sessions and viewed more than 250 exhibits.

During the Conference the Director attended various plenary and other sessions of IOSC 2008. The Director also used the opportunity to meet various people from the world of shipping and pollution response.

On Thursday 8 May the Director, in a session entirely devoted to the Hebei Spirit incident, delivered his presentation entitled 'The role of the IOPC Funds in the Hebei Spirit incident'.

The IOSC is one of the three world-wide oil spill conferences, which are each held once every three years in the UK (Interspill), the US (IOSC) and Australia (SpillCon) respectively. The next conference is Interspill 2009, which will be held in Marseille, France from 12 to 14 May 2009.

PAJ Oil Spill Symposium 2008; Tokyo, Japan

From 21 to 22 March 2008, Nobuhiro Tsuyuki attended the PAJ Oil Spill Symposium 2008 ‘International Challenges in Preparedness and Response to Oil and Chemical Spill Incidents’ and made a presentation titled ‘International Compensation Regime for Oil Pollution Damage and the HNS Convention’ PAJ; Petroleum Association of Japan.

2007

 

Regional claims workshop in Congo

A regional workshop on claims for compensation under the Civil Liability and Fund Conventions and an OPRC HNS seminar were conducted in Pointe Noire (Republic of Congo) from 10 to 14 December 2007 within the Global Initiative West and Central African (GIWACAF) programme. The workshop and seminar were organised by IMO, IPIECA (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association) in cooperation with the IOPC Fund.

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, and Ms Ana Cuesta from the Claims Department conducted the workshop and made various presentations on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention and on claims for compensation. They also carried out an oil spill exercise.

The seminar and workshop were attended by some eighty participants from government departments or agencies of Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Togo. Representatives of other intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) were also present as well as representatives from the oil industry in the Republic of Congo.

The Republic of Congo is a major oil producer in Africa with some forty oil platforms in the vicinity of Pointe Noire. The Congo is a party to the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions.

The delegates showed a great interest in the Fund and participated actively in the workshop presentations on Fund matters. Interest was showed also on the HNS Convention.

Seminar and claims workshop for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

A seminar on marine legislation and oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation and a claims workshop were held in Malabo ( Republic of Equatorial Guinea) from 30 July to 2 August 2007. They were organised by IMO and the IOPC Funds with the assistance of IPIECA (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association).

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, and Ms Ana Cuesta from the Claims Department conducted the workshop and made various presentations on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention and on claims for compensation. They also carried out an oil spill exercise.

The seminar and workshop were attended by some forty participants from various government departments (Ministries of Fisheries and Environment, Transport & Communications, National Defence, Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Health, Information, Culture and Tourism), the oil industry and other interested persons.

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a major oil exporter in Africa. Government representatives at the workshop confirmed that the Republic of Equatorial Guinea intended to ratify the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions in the near future.

Claims Workshop in Cairo, Egypt

Ana Cuesta and Joe Nichols of the IOPC Funds participated in an oil pollution compensation claims workshop in Cairo, Egypt between 17 and 19 July 2007. The workshop was organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre (REMPEC) in Malta and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA). The workshop was attended by representatives of EEAA, the Suez Canal Authority and the oil industry, including the SUMED pipeline company. Representatives from EEAA, ITOPF and the UK P&I Club as well as the Funds’ staff, gave presentations at the workshop. Egypt is currently a party to the 1992 Civil Liability Convention, but has not yet ratified the 1992 Fund Convention.

 

Seminar on the HNS Convention, Warsaw, Poland

A seminar organised by the European Maritime Safety Agency on the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention) was held in Warsaw, Poland on 17 and 18 April 2007. The purpose of the seminar was to assist the Polish Government in its preparations for ratifying the Convention. Some 15 persons from various ministries and government agencies attended.

Ms Catherine Grey, Head of the IOPC Funds' External Relations and Conference Department, and Mr David Bolomini, Head of Shipping Policy for the United Kingdom Government's Department for Transport, gave a series of presentations on different aspects of the HNS Convention. Particular emphasis was given to the operation of the system for contributions to the HNS Fund and the practical issues involved in setting up such a system for Poland.

Claims Workshop in Varna, Bulgaria

On 26 and 27 April 2007 the Director, Mr Willem Oosterveen, and the Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, together with Ms Katharina Stanzel from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), conducted a claims workshop in Varna, Bulgaria. The workshop was attended by delegates from the Bulgarian Maritime Administration and various other government departments. Mr Oosterveen made special reference in his presentations to the increasing volume of oil being transported through the Black Sea region and the corresponding risks this involved. He also referred to developments in the international compensation regime and outlined recent improvements to compensation arrangements.

 

Conference in Cantabria, Spain

On 13 and 14 April 2007 the Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, participated in a meeting of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe in Santander, Spain. The conference was attended by representatives of the European maritime regions. Mr Maura referred to developments in the international compensation regime and outlined those improvements in compensation arrangements which had taken place over the years.

 

SpillCon 2007, Perth, Australia

From 26 to 29 March 2007, the Director of the IOPC Funds, Mr Willem Oosterveen, attended SpillCon 2007, which was held in Perth, Australia. The theme of the conference was “Global, regional, local”. There were about 400 participants, mainly from Australia, New Zealand and the East-Asian and Pacific regions. More than 150 participants were non-Australian, with 31 countries represented in total. SpillCon is one of the three world-wide oil spill conferences, which are each held once every three years in the UK (Interspill), the US (IOSC) and Australia respectively. The next one is IOSC 2008, which will be held in Savannah, Georgia, USA.

On Monday 26 March the Director was invited to a lunch meeting of the Board of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, where he gave a short introduction to the Fund and the way it operates, against the background of the international regime for compensation for oil pollution damage. Various issues of mutual interest were discussed, among which the desirability of Australia joining the Supplementary Fund. Several Board members showed great interest in the Fund and asked questions about its daily operations.

From 27 to 29 March the Director attended the plenary sessions of SpillCon 2007, which were opened on Tuesday by Conference Chair, Mr Ivan Skibinski, followed by an inspirational keynote speech by Dr. Fiona Wood, a surgeon and professor, world renowned for her research in skin replacement treatment for burn wounds. Many other speakers delivered interesting presentations during the following days. The Director used the opportunity to meet various people from the world of shipping and pollution response.

On Wednesday 28 the Director delivered his presentation to the plenary, entitled “The international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage, a global regime with regional and local impact; Recent developments, new cases”.

 

Visit of the Director to Panama

On 6 and 7 February 2007, the Director of the IOPC Funds, Mr Willem Oosterveen, visited Panama upon the invitation of the Panamanian Government.

The purpose of the visit was twofold. On 6 February, the Director delivered a speech about the international compensation regime and the role of the IOPC Funds at the Panama Maritime VIII Conference.

On 7 February, the Director addressed a meeting of government officials and representatives of oil receivers in Panama, setting out and clarifying the reporting and contribution mechanism of the Funds. About 40 persons attended the meeting, which was held in a constructive atmosphere and was followed by a question and answer session.

 

Seminars in Argentina and Chile

On 12 and 17 January 2007, the Head of the Claims Department, Mr Jose Maura, participated in two seminars in Buenos Aires and Santiago, which were organised by the IOPC Funds in cooperation with BIMCO. The seminars were attended by representatives of the maritime and legal professions in Argentina and Chile. In his presentations, Mr Maura referred to the developments of the international regime and to several major incidents affecting the IOPC Funds such as the Nissos Amorgos, Erika and Prestige, and outlined the improvements of the compensation arrangements that had taken place over the years. Mr Maura also emphasised the importance of a uniform implementation and application of the Conventions relating to oil pollution liability and compensation, and highlighted the benefits of ratifying the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions.

 

2006

The East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2006

The former Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, attended the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2006 “One Ocean, One People, One Vision”, held in Haikou, People’s Republic of China, from 12 to 16 December 2006. The Congress was attended by some 800 delegates from a large number of countries from the East Asian Seas region, from other countries and from various intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies.

The former Director led a Workshop on the international compensation regime where he, together with a representative of the International Tanker Owners’ Pollution Federation (ITOPF), discussed the legal framework of the compensation regime established by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention, the criteria for the admissibility and the handling of compensation claims and the impact of oil spills.

Mr Jacobsson drew special attention to the Solar 1 incident which had occurred in the Philippines in August 2006 and which had resulted in compensation claims from public authorities and clean-up contractors as well as from thousands of fishermen and from many small businesses in the tourism sector. He stated that this incident had shown the benefits of the regime in that the shipowner’s insurer and the 1992 Fund paid compensation very rapidly, which was especially important in a developing country where fishermen and people working in the tourism industry had no social protection network. He made the point that this incident had demonstrated the importance that the States in the region which had not already done so should ratify the 1992 Fund Convention.

Mr Jacobsson also commented on the particular situation of the People’s Republic of China which has ratified both the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention, but as regards the 1992 Fund Convention has made a reservation to the effect that it only applies to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The People’s Republic of China is thus a member of the 1992 Fund. However, this reservation has the result that 1992 Fund would pay compensation only for pollution damage in Hong Kong but would not compensate such damage in mainland China and that contributions to the 1992 Fund would be paid by oil receivers in Hong Kong but not by oil receivers in mainland China.

The Congress adopted a number of recommendations, amongst these that all States in the region that had not already done so should ratify the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention.

 

Lectures at Dalian and Shanghai Maritime Universities

On 11 and 15 December 2006 the former Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, gave lectures at the Dalian Maritime University and at the Shanghai Maritime University on the international oil pollution liability and compensation regime. He dealt with recent developments in the regime and the experience gained from the Erika and Prestige incidents as well as the Solar 1 incident which occurred in August 2006 in the Philippines. He also addressed the particular situation in respect of the People’s Republic of China which has ratified both the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention, but as regards the 1992 Fund Convention has made a reservation to the effect that it only applied to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The People’s Republic of China is thus a member of the 1992 Fund. However, this reservation has the result that 1992 Fund would pay compensation for pollution damage in Hong Kong but would not compensate for such damage in mainland China, and contributions to the 1992 Fund would be paid by oil receivers in Hong Kong but not by oil receivers in mainland China.

 

Lectures in the Republic of Korea

On 7 and 8 December 2006 the former Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, gave presentations on the international compensation regime at a seminar organised by the Korea Shipping Association and to the students at Mokpo National Maritime University. In his presentations he referred to the role played by the Republic of Korea in the developments in the regime which have taken place in recent years and to the experience of major oil spills which have taken place in the Republic of Korea. He also spoke about the division of opinion between Fund Member States which had resulted in the work towards a revision of the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and Fund Conventions having been abandoned.

 

Lecture in Malaysia

On 4 December 2006 the former Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, visited Malaysia and, at the invitation of the Marine Department Peninsular Malaysia, gave a presentation on the international compensation regime. This presentation was attended by some 60 persons from the public and private sectors. Mr Jacobsson dealt with the regime from a Malaysian perspective and set out recent developments within the regime. He also gave a short overview of the 1996 Convention on liability and compensation for damage in connection with the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea (HNS Convention).

 

Workshop on Places of Refuge in Barcelona, Spain

On 28 – 30 November 2006 the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) held a regional workshop in Barcelona (Spain) on Places of Refuge which dealt with the issue from a number of perspectives.

The IOPC Funds were represented at the Workshop by their former Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, who made a presentation on the "International Regime on Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage: Implications for Places of Refuge". In his presentation he referred to the consideration of liability issues in respect of Places of Refuge which had taken place within the International Maritime Organization. He then analysed the applicability of the 1992 Civil Liability Convention, the 1992 Fund Convention and the 2003 Supplementary Fund Protocol in cases where pollution damage was caused as a result of a State, in order to prevent or minimise pollution damage, having taken measures for a ship in distress to enter a place of refuge within its jurisdiction or for the ship to leave its waters. He made the point that such loss or damage would fall within the definition of "preventive measures" in these treaty instruments provided the measures were reasonable from an objective point of view. He emphasised that damage caused in such circumstances would be dealt with as any other pollution damage resulting from preventive measures.

 

Workshops on the HNS Convention organized by EMSA

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) organised two workshops on the implementation of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention), which took place at EMSA's headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal.

The first workshop, which was held on 20 November 2006, focused on the implementation of the HNS Convention in Romania and Bulgaria, while the second workshop, held on 22 November 2006, addressed remaining issues regarding the implementation of the HNS Convention in EU States. Some 20 persons from various ministries and government agencies attended the respective workshops.

The IOPC Funds' Head of External Relations and Conference Department, Ms Catherine Grey, and the Funds' Information Officer, Ms Stephanie Mulot, attended the workshops. Ms Grey gave a presentation on different aspects of the HNS Convention at each workshop. Ms Grey’s presentation at the workshop organised for Romania and Bulgaria focused on general information about the HNS Convention including the reporting system, the issue of receiver and the HNS Contributing Cargo Calculator, while her presentation at the workshop on implementation of the HNS Convention among EU States addressed in more detail the identification of the receiver.

Ms Grey and Ms Mulot also took the opportunity to meet with EMSA officers to better understand EMSA's activities and share information on the IOPC Funds in an effort to strengthen the two organisations' working relationship.

 

Lecture in France

On 16 November 2006 the outgoing Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, gave a lecture to the French Maritime Law Association on "The IOPC Funds – the French experiences". He referred to the importance for the development of the international regime and to several major incidents in France – Amoco Cadiz, Tanio, Amazzone, Haven, Katja, Erika and Prestige, and outlined the improvements of the compensation arrangements that had taken place over the years. He emphasised the importance of a uniform implementation and application of the Conventions relating to oil pollution liability and compensation and dealt with the different approaches taken in various Fund Member States. He also set out his views on future developments and emphasised the importance that the regime continued to adapt to the political and social developments in society.

 

Lecture in Italy

On 13 November 2006 the outgoing Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, gave a lecture to the Italian Maritime Law Association on "The International Compensation Regime for Oil Pollution Damage: Legal and Political Challenges". Against the background of three major incidents in Italy – Patmos, Agip Abruzzo and Haven – he set out the developments within the international compensation regime over the years. He dealt in particular with the steps taken in the light of recent major incidents to improve the compensation regime and emphasised the importance of uniform application of the Conventions on which the regime is based. He also made some observations on possible future developments.

 

Visit to Japan

The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, and the Director Elect, Mr Willem Oosterveen, visited Japan from 10 to 13 October 2006.

The Director and the Director Elect held discussions with the Vice-Minister for International Affairs in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and with the Director General of the Maritime Bureau of the Ministry. Meetings were held with the Vice Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard, the President of the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center, leading representatives of the Japan Ship Owner's Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association (Japan P & I Club), the Petroleum Association of Japan, the Petroleum Industry Maritime Association of Japan (PIMA) and the Japanese Shipowners' Association.

The Director and the Director Elect made presentations on the international compensation regime at a seminar organised by PIMA in cooperation with the above mentioned Ministry. The seminar was attended by some 85 persons from the public and private sectors.

 

EROCIPS Seminar in Bordeaux, France

The Emergency Response to Coastal Oil, Chemical, and Inert Pollution from Shipping (EROCIPS) a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund to provide regional and local governments with information to aid their response structure in the event of a pollution incident, organised a seminar in Bordeaux on 28 and 29 September 2006. The seminar was attended by some 100 delegates from a number of maritime regions of Europe.

The Head of the Claims Department , Mr José Maura, made a presentation in which he set out recent developments within the international compensation regime of special interest to maritime regions in Europe. The presentation received substantial interest from the participants.

 

Seminar on the HNS Convention in Riga, Latvia

A seminar organised by the European Maritime Safety Agency on the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention) was held in Riga (Latvia) on 19 and 20 September 2006. The purpose of the seminar was to assist the Latvian Government in its preparations for ratifying the Convention. Some 15 persons from various ministries and government agencies attended.

Ms Catherine Grey, Head of the IOPC Funds' External Relations and Conference Department, and Mr David Bolomini, Head of Shipping Policy for the United Kingdom Government's Department for Transport, gave a series of presentations on different aspects of the HNS Convention. Particular emphasis was given to the operation of the system for contributions to the HNS Fund and the practical issues involved in setting up such a system for Latvia.

 

Claims Workshop in Astana, Kazakhstan

The IOPC Funds had been invited to conduct a regional claims workshop in Astana, Kazakhstan in September 2006 for the countries of the Caspian Sea Region. The workshop was attended by representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, as well as from the oil companies operating in the region. The workshop was organized by the Oil Spill Regional Preparedness Initiative for the Black Sea and Caspian Region, in conjunction with a meeting of the Emergency Response Regional Advisory Group (ERRAG) of the Caspian Environmental Programme.

Captain Patrick Joseph and Ms Chiara Della Mea, IOPC Funds’ Claims Managers, gave a number of presentations on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention and conducted a tabletop exercise for the participants to enhance the understanding of claims presentation and assessment. The workshop was well received with many of the participants expressing their appreciation of the knowledge gained vis-à-vis the international oil pollution compensation regime. Of the countries represented, the Russian Federation is a party to the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention and therefore a member of the 1992 Fund, while Azerbaijan is a party to the 1992 Civil Liability Convention only.

Captain Joseph and Ms Della Mea also participated as observers at the ERRAG meeting. The representatives of all the participating countries put forward a strong recommendation to their governments that their countries ratify 1992 Civil Liability Convention and consider ratifying 1992 Fund Convention.

 

International Colloquium on Maritime Legal Liabilities
in Swansea (Wales)

The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, participated in an International Colloquium on Maritime Legal Liabilities held on 14 and 15 September 2006 in Swansea (Wales) and organised by the Law Faculty of the University of Wales. The Colloquium was attended by some 75 persons from the United Kingdom and other countries comprising both academics and practitioners.

In a session on Ship Source Pollution the Director made a presentation of the international oil pollution compensation regime and recent developments within this regime. He also made reference to the preparation for the entry into force of the HNS Convention.

Among other subjects addressed were: Liabilities of Salvors, Liabilities of Classification Societies, the Influence on the Evolution of Liabilities of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and Liabilities and Insurance as regards Terrorism and War.

 

Seminar on the HNS Convention in Helsinki, Finland

A seminar on the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention) was held in Helsinki on 11 September 2006 under the auspices of the Finnish Ministry of Transport. The purpose of the seminar was to increase the awareness of the major issues that had to be addressed in relation to the envisaged ratification by Finland of the Convention. Some 75 persons from various ministries, government agencies and interested industries attended.

The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, and the Head of the External Relations and Conference Department, Ms Catherine Grey, gave presentations on the liability and compensation regime to be established when the HNS Convention enters into force. Particular emphasis was given to the operation of the system for contributions to the HNS Fund.

In connection with the seminar the Director and the Head of External Relations and Conference Department held meetings with a number of senior officials in the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Transport and the Finnish Maritime Agency as well as with representatives of the Finnish oil industry for discussion on matters of common interest. A meeting was also held with the Executive Secretary of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commission).

 

Claims Workshop in Ghana

Opening of the Workshop by the Minister of Harbours and Railways (second from right)

The IOPC Funds organised a claims workshop in Accra (Ghana) from 28 August to 1 September 2006 on the international compensation regime established under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention. The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, and the Deputy Director/Technical Adviser, Mr Joe Nichols, gave a number of presentations on the various types of claims for compensation under the international regime. The purpose of the workshop, which was attended by some 50 persons from various ministries and government agencies as well as from the oil, shipping, fishery and tourism industries, was to increase the awareness in Ghana of the international compensation regime so as to facilitate the presentation and handling of claims if a tanker oil spill were to occur in Ghana.

The Director and the Deputy Director also held meetings with the Minister and Deputy Minister for Harbours and Railways, the Minister of Fisheries, the Minister responsible for Environmental Affairs and the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority as well as with representatives of the Ghanaian oil industry to discuss matters of common interest.

 

Lecture at World Maritime University

On 21 August 2006 the Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, gave a lecture on the international compensation regime under the 1992 Conventions to some 80 students at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden. The students, who come mainly from developing countries, are following a 21-month programme in various maritime fields, such as maritime administration, maritime safety and port management, leading to a Masters degree. The purpose of the Director's lecture was to familiarise the students, who after returning to their country will hold senior positions within their national administration or in the private sector, with the compensation regime so as to enable them to ensure that their respective countries can benefit fully from compensation under the regime in the case of tanker oil spills.

 

Visit to New Zealand

The Director visited New Zealand on 7-8 August 2006 for discussions with Government representatives on matters relating to the international oil pollution compensation regime and the issues which had to be resolved in order to enable New Zealand to ratify the HNS Convention. He met the Minister for Transport Safety, Mr Harry Duynhoven and the secretary for Transport, Mr Alan Thomson, as well as the Chairman and the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Maritime Authority Mrs Susie Staley and Mr Russel Kilvington.

At a seminar held on 7 August in Auckland, the Director gave a presentation on recent developments within the international oil pollution compensation regime. On 8 August he participated in a seminar held in Wellington which focussed on the ongoing examination by the New Zealand authorities on the legislation which would be required in order to enable New Zealand to ratify the HNS Convention. The Director gave a presentation in which he dealt with the major issues involved and provided information on the work which had been carried out within the IOPC Funds for the purpose of assisting States in ratifying the HNS Convention. The two seminars were attended by both government officials and representatives of the industry interests involved.

 

Visit to Australia

The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, visited Australia from 31 July to 3 August 2006.

He had a meeting at the Australian Maritime Safety Agency (AMSA) where discussions on matters of common interest took place with AMSA's Chief Executive, Mr Clive Davidson, and its senior management. The discussions focussed on recent developments within the international compensation regime. In particular, the Chief Executive informed the Director of the developments in Australia toward ratification of the 2003 Supplementary Fund Protocol and the HNS Convention.

The Director visited the Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre in Geelong where he was informed about the organisation of the Australian oil spill response. It was emphasized that the response was based on close cooperation between the Federal and State governments and the oil industry.

Seminars had been organised in Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane by AMSA in cooperation with the Maritime Law Association of Australia. The Director made presentations on recent developments within the international compensation regime and focussed on matters of particular interest to Australia. He set out in some detail the Supplementary Fund Protocol and the voluntary industry agreements STOPIA 2006 and TOPIA 2006.

 

Claims workshops for Turkey and the Black Sea Region

The IOPC Funds organised two claims workshops in Istanbul, Turkey in July 2006. The first was a regional claims workshop for the countries of the Black Sea Region and was attended by representatives of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine. The second was a national workshop for Turkey and was attended by representatives of the Turkish government and the shipping and oil industries.

The Deputy Director, Mr Joe Nichols, and the Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, gave a number of presentations on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention and conducted an oil spill exercise.

Of the countries represented, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russian Federation and Turkey are members of the 1992 Fund. The other countries confirmed that they intended to ratify the 1992 Fund Convention in the near future.

 

Meeting with Singapore authorities

On 23 July 2006 the Director visited the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and met the Authority’s Chief Executive, BG Tay Lim Heng. During the meeting various issues of common interest were discussed, in particular recent developments within the international compensation regime and the situation in respect of the Erika and Prestige incidents. The analysis which is being carried out by the Singaporean Government to decide whether Singapore should ratify the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention) was also discussed.

 

Visit to Canada

The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, and Mr Willem Oosterveen, who will take over the post of Director on 1 November 2006, held meetings in Ottawa on 26 and 27 June with Canadian Government officials. A meeting was held in the Department of Transport with Mrs Kristine Burr, Assistant Deputy Minister and senior Government officials. The discussion focussed on recent developments within the international compensation regime, the timetable for ratification by Canada of the Supplementary Fund Protocol and certain issues relating to the preparations for the entry into force of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention).

Mr Jacobsson and Mr Oosterveen also held discussions with the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as with the Administrator of the Canadian Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund.

On 28 June Mr Jacobsson and Mr Oosterveen attended a seminar in Montreal organised by the Canadian Maritime Law Association where they gave presentations on the recent developments within the international compensation regime and the HNS Convention, respectively.

 

Seminar in Arendal, Norway

A seminar was held on 8 and 9 June 2006 in Arendal, Norway, organised by the Gard P&I Club. The seminar was attended by some 100 participants within the shipping community from 22 countries.

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, gave a presentation on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention and the recent developments which have taken place in that regime. The presentation received substantial interest from the participants.

 

Oil Pollution Claims & ISPS Workshop in Gammarth, Tunisia

Capt Patrick Joseph and Ms Chiara Della Mea, IOPC Funds' Claims Managers, participated in an Oil Pollution Claims and Compensation & International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) workshop held in Gammarth, Tunisia from 29 - 31 May 2006, organised by the Mediterranean Oil Industry Group (MOIG). Sixty-five participants representing the various members of MOIG attended the workshop, which was part of a MOIG's regular training program to enhance preparedness and response to oil spill incidents in the Mediterranean region. The programme included presentations on the Italian Government's oil pollution contingency plans and ISPS contingency plans established by one of Italy's largest companies, Eni S.p.A.

The IOPC Funds' Claims Managers dealt with oil pollution liability and compensation and conducted a tabletop exercise for the participants to enhance the understanding of claims presentation and assessment. This item of the workshop was well received with many of the participants expressing their appreciation for the knowledge gained vis-à-vis the international oil pollution compensation regime. Emphasis was also placed on the 1992 Fund's contribution system, which was of interest to some of MOIG's members who are contributors to the IOPC Funds.

The ISPS discussions centred on shipboard and terminal response to security threats and the preventive measures put in place to reduce these threats.

 

Training course in Malta

A training course on the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 and related Conventions was held in Malta, organised by the International Maritime Organization and REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea. The training course was attended by representatives of Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey as well as representatives of Palestine.

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, gave a presentation on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention.

Of the countries represented, Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Slovenia, Tunisia and Turkey are members of the 1992 Fund. The other countries confirmed that they intended to ratify the 1992 Fund Convention in the near future.

 

Oil Pollution 2006 Conference – London

On 8 May 2006 the Deputy Director participated in the Oil Pollution 2006 Conference in London, which was attended by representatives from the oil, shipping and marine insurance industries. The title of his presentation was ‘The International regime on Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage – recent Developments’.

 

Seminar in Gabon

A seminar and workshop on maritime legislation and oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation, organised by IMO and IPIECA (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association) for the countries of the West and Central Africa Region (WACAF), was held in Libreville (Gabon) from 24 to 28 April 2006. The seminar and workshop were attended by representatives of Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Republic of Guinea, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, gave a number of presentations on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention.

Of the countries represented Angola, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Namibia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are Members of the 1992 Fund. The other countries confirmed that they intended to ratify the 1992 Fund Convention in the near future.

 

Lecture at the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta

The Legal Counsel, Mr Masamichi Hasebe, gave lectures to the students at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute on 6 and 7 April 2006 on "Recent Developments within the International Compensation Regime". The lectures were attended by 31 students from 22 countries.

 

Visit to Ireland

On 3 April 2006 the Director met senior civil servants in the Irish Ministry of Transport for discussion of matters relating to the international compensation regime and the preparation for the entry into force of the HNS Convention.

At the invitation of the Irish Maritime Law Association and the Irish Institute of Marine Underwriters the Director made a presentation on recent developments within the international compensation regime. He dealt with in particular the Funds' policy as regards the admissibility of claims for pure economic loss and recent judgements on such claims rendered in France in the context of the Erika incident, the establishment of the Supplementary Fund and the voluntary industry agreements STOPIA 2006 and TOPIA 2006.

 

Seminar in Colombia

A seminar on maritime legislation was held in Bogota (Colombia) and organised by ROCRAM (Red Operativa de Cooperacion Regional de Autoridades Maritimas de Sudamerica), which develops regional cooperation between the maritime authorities in South America. The seminar was attended by representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura, gave a number of presentations on the international compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention.

Of the countries represented Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela are Members of the 1992 Fund. The other countries confirmed that they intended to ratify the 1992 Fund Convention in the near future.

Interspill 2006 Conference: Changing energy patterns, changing spill risks London, UK

Between 21 and 23 March 2006 the IOPC Funds participated in Interspill 2006, an international conference and exhibition on spill prevention and response at sea and on inland waters. The event was held at ExCel located at the Royal Victoria Dock in London. This was the first such conference supported by the IOPC Funds through representation on the organising and programme committees. It was also the first occasion on which the IOPC Funds had their own stand at the exhibition along with 140 other exhibitors. Some 1 300 participants from 71 countries attended the conference and exhibition.

The conference ran parallel sessions covering marine transportation, exploration and production, inland spills and waste management as well as scientific developments. The Deputy Director chaired a session on legislation and policy in the maritime transportation sector and the Director presented a paper on compensation regime developments. Included in the same session were presentations on the role of P&I Clubs in raising shipping standards and a review of the HNS and Bunker Conventions. Other presentations focused on the lessons learned from past major incidents, which had led two countries (United Kingdom and Australia) to delegate responsibility for the command and control of major maritime casualties to a single government representative who would be given wide-ranging responsibilities and be free from political interference. One session addressed the issues of potentially polluting wrecks in marine waters and the role of the salvor in reducing environmental damage.

Prior to the conference and exhibition the IOPC Funds ran a one-day claims workshop, which was attended by 23 participants from the public and private sector.

 

Workshop in Guatemala

The Head of the Claims Department, Mr José Maura participated in a Workshop in Guatemala on 8 and 9 March 2006 organised by IMO, UNEP and IMO’s office in the Caribbean on oil pollution response and cooperation, which was attended by some 20 participants from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Mr Maura made presentations explaining the legal framework of the international compensation regime established by the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions.

Of the countries represented only Belize is a member of the 1992 Fund. It was confirmed that all the other States represented intended to ratify the 1992 Fund Convention in the near future.

 

International Salvage Union Lecture

On 8 March 2006 the Director made a presentation on "Compensation for Pollution Prevention and Damage Mitigation: the Policy of the IOPC Funds" at the International Salvage Union Associate Members' Day in London. Some 90 persons from the salvage industry attended.

The Director explained under what circumstances salvage operations would be considered as "preventive measures", ie measures to prevent or minimise pollution damage, and therefore qualifying for compensation under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention. If the primary purpose of such operations is to prevent pollution damage, the costs incurred qualify in principle for compensation under the 1992 Conventions. However, if salvage operations have another purpose, such as saving the ship and/or the cargo, the costs incurred are not accepted under the Conventions. If the operations are undertaken for the purpose of both preventing pollution and saving the ship and/or the cargo, but it is not possible to establish with any certainty the primary purpose, the costs are apportioned between pollution prevention and salvage. The assessment of claims for the costs of preventive measures associated with salvage is not made on the basis of the criteria applied for determining salvage awards, but the compensation is limited to costs, including a reasonable element of profit.

 

University of Southampton Lecture

On 8 March 2006 the Director gave a lecture on the international compensation regime to students at the Masters degree course at the Institute of Maritime Law, University of Southampton.

 

Petroleum Association of Japan
Oil Spill Symposium 2006

Mr Masamichi Hasebe, Legal Counsel participated in the Petroleum Association of Japan Oil Spill Symposium 2006 held in Tokyo on 23 and 24 February 2006. Some 200 delegates from the Japanese Coast Guard and the oil and shipping industries attended. He made a presentation under the title “The International Regime on Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage”, explaining the general structure of the regime and gave an update on the voluntary compensation package established by the International Group of P&I Clubs (STOPIA/TOPIA 2006). He also gave information on developments within the European Union in particular as regards “The Third Maritime Safety Package” proposed by the European Commission.

 

Lecture at Japan P&I Club

Mr Masamichi Hasebe, Legal Counsel gave a lecture at the Japan P&I Club in Tokyo on 22 February 2006 regarding the voluntary compensation package in the form of STOPIA/TOPIA 2006 established by the International Group of P&I Clubs. He explained the background to these agreements in the context of the consideration within the 1992 Fund of a possible revision of the 1992 Conventions. Some 20 Japanese shipowners attended the lecture.

 

Workshop on HNS and Bunker Conventions

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) held a workshop on 21 February 2006 on the ratification and implementation of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention) and the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention). The purpose of the workshop was to promote ratification of these Conventions by the European Union Member States.

The IOPC Funds Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, made a presentation on the subject, "Why is the HNS Convention necessary". Ms Catherine Grey, Head of External Relations and Conference Department made two presentations, one on "How will the HNS Convention operate" and the other on the system developed by the IOPC Funds to assist States in fulfilling their obligations to report receipts of contributing cargo under the HNS Convention (the HNS Convention Contributing Cargo Calculator). Various aspects of the HNS Convention and the Bunker Convention were dealt with by other speakers.

The workshop was attended by some 50 persons representing 25 countries as well as the European Commission and EMSA.

 

EU Institute Japan Seminar

Mr Masamichi Hasebe, Legal Counsel participated in the EU Institute Japan Seminar held at Kobe University on 20 February 2006. Some 40 persons attended, mostly university professors and students. Mr Hasebe gave information on recent developments in the international oil pollution compensation regime under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention. He also informed the Seminar on the European Union’s initiatives after the Erika and Prestige incidents and on “The Third Maritime Safety Package” proposed by the European Commission in November 2005.

 

CMI Colloquium – Cape Town, South Africa

The Director participated in a Colloquium organised by the International Maritime Committee (Comité Maritime International, CMI) held in Cape Town (South Africa) from 13 to 15 February 2006. Some 250 maritime lawyers from 28 countries attended the Colloquium.

The main subjects of interest to the IOPC Funds discussed at the Colloquium were places of refuge for ships in distress, wreck removal and application of procedural rules in various conventions on limitation of shipowner's liability. The Director presented a paper on the international regime on liability and compensation for ship-source pollution damage: recent developments.

 

Claims Workshop in Lagos, Nigeria

In February 2006 Mr Joe Nichols, Deputy Director/Technical Adviser and Capt Patrick Joseph, Claims Manger, participated in a three day claims workshop in Lagos, Nigeria organised by the Federal Ministry of Transport. The workshop, which was attended by 50 participants from the public and private sector, was part of a public awareness programme on IOPC Fund issues initiated by the Nigerian Government. The workshop programme included a presentation by a member of the recently formed National Standing Committee on IOPC Fund matters in Nigeria. The main terms of reference of the Committee are to ensure Nigeria’s full compliance with its obligations under the compensation Conventions and its active participation in meetings of the Funds’ governing bodies. The Committee has initiated, amongst other things, the establishment of an oil pollution compensation claims management system, which is aimed at ensuring that potential victims of pollution incidents in Nigeria are familiar with the Conventions and procedures for presenting claims for compensation. Following the success of the national workshop, Nigeria is now considering hosting a regional claims workshop for representatives from neighbouring States that could be affected by a trans-boundary pollution incident.

 

Lecture at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

The Director gave a lecture at the University of Edinburgh on 1 February 2006 on the environmental aspects of the international regime on liability and compensation for oil pollution from ships, as part of a series of lectures at the University on environmental issues given by guest lecturers.

 

Lecture at the University of Wales Swansea, United Kingdom

On 24 January 2006 the Director gave a lecture on the legal and political aspects of the international regime on liability and compensation for ship-source oil pollution damage at the University of Wales Swansea. It was attended by some 80 persons, including academics and persons from the private and public sectors.

 

Training course in Barbados

In the week of 23 January 2006 the IOPC Funds' Legal Counsel, Mr Masamichi Hasebe, participated in a training course organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Information and Training Center Wider Caribbean (RAC/REMPEITC-Carib) in Barbados and gave a lecture on liability and compensation. He also made a presentation in a seminar on claims presentation and handling. Some 20 persons attended, most of them senior government officials from Barbados, Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles), Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Workshop in Israel

Capt Patrick Joseph and Miss Chiara Della Mea, the Funds’ Claims Managers, participated in an Oil Spill Claims Workshop in Haifa, Israel from 17-19 January 2006. The workshop was organised by the Administration of Shipping and Ports, Ministry of Transport, Israel. A large number of persons representing various Ministries and the oil industry participated in the workshop. As Israel became a Member of the 1992 Fund in late 2005, the participants showed keen interest in understanding the workings of the international oil pollution compensation regime.

 

Workshop in Libya

At the beginning of January 2006 the Deputy Director/Technical Adviser, Mr Joe Nichols, attended a workshop on Health, Safety and the Environment organised by the Libyan National Oil Company in Tripoli, Libya. Some 60 representatives from national and international oil companies attended the workshop. Mr Nichols made a presentation on the international compensation regime and the benefits of becoming parties to the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions. Libya, as a major oil exporter and with exports due to increase in the future, is considering ratifying the 1992 Conventions in the near future.

 

2005

Seminar in Shanghai

On 8 December 2005 an international seminar was held in Shanghai on Tanker Safety, Pollution Prevention and Spill Preparedness, which had been organised by the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd (ITOPF), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF). The Seminar had attracted some 130 participants, mainly from China.

The Director made a presentation on recent developments in the international compensation regime where he dealt in particular with issues of special interest to China. In his presentation he made the point that the 1992 Conventions had the character of uniform law and that therefore States which had ratified them were not allowed to deviate from the Conventions by means of national legislation. He also emphasized the importance of uniform application of the Conventions worldwide. In relation to the concept of pollution damage, he stated that the 1992 Conventions did not allow compensation to be calculated on the basis of theoretical formulae and that, as regards impairment of the environment, the Conventions explicitly limited compensation to loss of profit resulting from such impairment and to reasonable costs of reinstatement actually taken or to be undertaken. The Director also took part in a panel discussion on post-spill studies were he addressed the possibilities of obtaining compensation for the costs of such studies under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention.

Lecture at Shanghai Maritime University

Seminar in Sweden

Workshop in Namibia

On 8 and 9 November 2005, a Claims Workshop was held in Walvis Bay, Namibia in which participated the IOPC Funds' Deputy Director/Technical Adviser, Mr Joe Nichols, and Ms Chiara della Mea, Claims Manager. The purpose of the Workshop, which was attended by 20 participants from the public and private sector, was to increase the awareness in Namibia of the international compensation regime. The main focus of the Workshop was on the submission and assessment of claims for compensation for pollution damage. The Workshop culminated in a desk-top exercise during which the participants calculated rates for pollution combating equipment, dealt with a theoretical oil spill in Walvis Bay and then prepared a claim for compensation for the cost of the response.

 

General Assembly of CPRM

The Director of the IOPC Funds, Mr Måns Jacobsson, attended the General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPRM), held from 2 to 4 November 2005 in Madeira. The Assembly was attended by some 350 delegates from a number of maritime regions. The President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Durao Barroso, addressed the Assembly.

The Director made a presentation in which he set out recent developments within the international compensation regime of special interest to maritime regions in Europe. In his presentation he emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Funds and representatives of the regions in Europe which could be affected by a major tanker oil spill in order to facilitate claims handling and to speed up compensation payments.

Seminar in Syria

Seminar in Rome

At the invitation of the Italian Government and the Italian shipping and oil industries, the Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, and Ms Catherine Grey, Head of the Funds' Conference and External Relations Department, lectured at a Seminar held in Rome on 3 October 2005 dealing with the international oil pollution liability and compensation regime set up by the 1992 Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention as well as with the regime which will be established when the 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS Convention) enters into force. Some 50 persons from various Italian Ministries and agencies and from the industries concerned attended the Seminar.

International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition (ICOPCE)

The IOPC Funds' Deputy Director/Technical Adviser, Mr Joe Nichols, participated in the ICOPCE Conference which was held in Singapore from 28-30 September 2005 and was attended by some 380 persons from 20 countries and made a presentation on "a global approach to liability and compensation for tanker oil spills."

In connection with the Conference, Captain Patrick Joseph, IOPC Funds' Claims Manager, acted as Resource Person in a Workshop on Claims and Compensation organised by the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore. The Workshop was attended by 45 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

 

International Bar Association Conference

Mr Måns Jacobsson, the IOPC Funds' Director, participated in the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference held in Prague from 26-30 September 2005, where he made a presentation on the international compensation regime to the Maritime Law Section of the IBA.

 

Exercise Balex Delta 2005

The Director attended an oil spill exercise, Balex Delta 2005, organised by the Swedish Coast Guard on 30 and 31 August 2005 under the framework of the HELCOM Agreement. Some 20 response vessels from seven of the countries bordering the Baltic participated in the exercise which related to a fictitious collision between a ferry and an oil tanker resulting in a spill of some 10 000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.

 

Lecture at the World Maritime University

The Director gave a lecture on the international compensation regime and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds to second-year students at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden on 4 August 2005.

 

Ocean Security Initiative Conference in Libya

The Director participated in the Ocean Security Initiative Conference organised by the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the Sea (ACOPS) in cooperation with Gaddafi International Foundation for Charity Associations, which was held in Tripoli, Libya, from 23-25 July 2005. Some 250 persons from 25 States attended the Conference. The Conference dealt with environmental issues in a very wide sense, with particular emphasis on the situation in the Mediterranean.

The Director also held meetings outside the Conference with the Chairman of the Management Committee of the National Oil Corporation of Libya and with the Libyan Maritime Transportation and Ports Administration.

 

Lecture at Dalian Maritime University

On 11 July 2005, the Director gave a lecture on the international compensation regime at the Dalian Maritime University, which as regards some international aspects is a branch of the World Maritime University in Malmö (Sweden). The lecture was attended by some 80 persons, the levels of whom ranged from professors, postgraduate students and researchers to undergraduates.

 

Search and Rescue Exercise, Shanghai

On 7 July 2005, the Director attended a major exercise organised by the Chinese Maritime Safety Agency in which participated more than 20 vessels and some 500 persons, including ships and personnel from Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The exercise included search and rescue, fire fighting and oil pollution response.

 

Visit to Brazil

The Director visited Brazil on 13 and 14 June 2005 to promote Brazil’s ratification of the1992 Conventions. He held meetings with officials of Petrobras in Rio de Janeiro and with the Director General of the Department for the Environment and Special Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia.

 

Centenary Conference of the Argentinian Maritime Law Association

The Director attended the Centenary Conference of the Argentinian Maritime Law Association in Buenos Aires where he made a presentation on recent developments in the international regime of liability and compensation for oil pollution damage. The Conference, which took place from 8-10 June 2005, gave the Director the possibility to make contacts and discuss matters of common interest with a number of lawyers from various Latin American countries.

 

Visit to Uruguay

The Director visited Uruguay from 2 to 6 June 2005 where he met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Environment and the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence. Meetings were also held with the Prefecto Nacional Naval, the Commandant of the Navy and the President of the national oil company, ANCAP.

 

Workshop in Malaysia

The Deputy Director/Technical Adviser returned from the Republic of Korea via Malaysia where he joined Capt Joseph (Claims Manager) in the running of a claims workshop held from 30 May to 2 June 2005, which was organised by the Malaysian Marine Department in conjunction with a major oil spill exercise. The workshop was attended by representatives from the public and private sectors that play a role under Malaysia’s National Oil Pollution Contingency Plan.

 

Symposium in the Republic of Korea

The Deputy Director/Technical Adviser attended the International Symposium on Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Co-operation in Incheon, Republic of Korea on 27 May 2005. The Symposium was attended by representatives from countries in the North West Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Region (Japan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation). The Deputy Director/Technical Adviser presented a paper on the role of the IOPC Funds in incident response.

 

BIMCO Centenary General Meeting

The Director attended the Centenary General Meeting of BIMCO from 25-27 May 2005 which was organised under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort of Denmark. BIMCO is the world's largest and most diverse shipping organisation with a membership spanning 123 countries and including more than 2,550 companies. Its focus is on the promotion of high shipping standards and support of existing measures to ensure quality shipping as the standardisation of regulations and the implementation thereof on a worldwide basis.

 

International Oil Spill Conference 2005

The Director, Mr Måns Jacobsson, the Deputy Director/Technical Adviser, Mr Joe Nichols, and Mr Miles Morgan, IT Administrator, attended the International Oil Spill Conference 2005 which took place in Miami, USA from 15-19 May 2005 with some 2,000 participants from 50 countries. The Director made a presentation on recent developments within the international compensation regime. Mr Nichols presented a paper, of which he was co-author with Mr Morgan, on the sharing of the financial burden between the shipping and oil industries under the international compensation regimes.

 

Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Cooperation
Central America Regionalisation Workshop

The Legal Counsel, Mr Masamichi Hasebe, attended this Workshop in Panama on 13 April 2005. Mr Hasebe made a presentation on "Recent Developments within the International Compensation Regime" and contributed to the drafting of the "Roadmap" (proposal for a Regional Cooperation framework for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in Central America) and a "National Plan Study" report regarding the Oil Spill Contingency Plans of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

 

Lectures at the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta

The Legal Counsel, Mr Masamichi Hasebe, gave two lectures to the students at the International Maritime Law Institute on 31 March and 1 April 2005 on "Recent Developments within the International Compensation Regime" and "Recent Litigation involving the IOPC Funds."

 

Visit to Japan

The Director gave a lecture on “The significance of the third tier Supplementary Fund and the on-going review of the international compensation regime” at the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) Oil Spill Symposium which took place on 24-25 February 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. More than 200 people from both the public and private sectors participated in the Symposium.

The Director met the Vice Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and held meetings with senior civil servants and with representatives of the shipping, insurance and oil industries.

 

Oil Spill Exercise - Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Captain Patrick Joseph (Claims Manager), Ms Chiara Della Mea (Claims Manager) and Ms Ana Cuesta (Claims Administrator) took part in an oil spill exercise in the Isle of Lewis, Scotland between 22-24 February 2005. The exercise which was organised by the UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency was aimed at testing the National Contingency Plan for response to an oil pollution incident. The exercise was based on an incident at sea involving the release of oil cargo from a tanker transiting the western coast of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. A successful co-ordination was established between the Fund and the Agency personnel that play a role within the National Contingency Plan.

 

Lecture to Belgian Maritime Law Association

The Director gave a lecture on recent developments in the international regime of liability and compensation for oil pollution damage to the Belgian Maritime Law Association in Antwerp, Belgium on 17 February 2005.

 

Visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran

At the invitation of the Iranian Government, the Director visited the Islamic Republic of Iran for discussions with the Iranian authorities on 22 and 23 January 2005 relating to Iran’s consideration of ratification of the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions. He had meetings with the Deputy Minister of Roads and Transportation and with a number of senor civil servants and the Chairman of the competent committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly as well as with representatives of the National Iranian Oil Company and the National Iranian Tanker Company. He also gave a lecture on the international compensation regime to an audience of invited representatives of various interest groups.