Upcoming events

The IOPC Funds will contribute to a workshop on the theme “The Present and the Future of Maritime Law: National and International Perspectives” at the University of Ottawa on 19 March 2026. The event, hosted by the University of Ottawa and sponsored by the Law Commission of Canada, will feature panel discussions exploring key international maritime conventions and how Canada’s maritime legal framework is adapting to areas such as seabed mining, autonomous vessels and environmental protection.

IOPC Funds’ HNS Project Manager, Ms Gillian Grant, will join other national and international experts in maritime law and related fields to deliberate on these issues. Her presentation, entitled “From sanctions to HNS: issues facing the IOPC Funds and why they matter for Canada”, will provide an overview of the IOPC Funds,  the challenges that sanctions pose to the international compensation system, the 2010 HNS Convention, its current status, and the IOPC Funds’ role in the lead-up to its expected entry into force. She will also highlight the importance of the Convention and the benefits it offers to Canada and other Contracting States, particularly in light of recent HNS incidents and the anticipated increase in the global transportation of HNS cargoes as the shipping industry advances towards decarbonisation.

The IOPC Funds will participate in the 6th edition of ADRIASPILLCON 2026, an international conference and exhibition focused on oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response.

The event will take place from 21 to 23 April 2026 in Zadar, Croatia. It is being organised by the Adriatic Training and Research Centre (ATRAC), under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia, and is supported by the IOPC Funds and other international, regional, and national organisations active in the field of marine spill prevention, preparedness, and response.

IOPC Funds’ Claims Manager, Mark Horman, will join other experts in panel discussions on issues related to oil spill preparedness and response at sea and inland, as well as spills involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) and marine debris.

Further information about ADRIASPILLCON 2026 can be found here.

The next meeting of the IOPC Funds governing bodies will take place on 7 and 8 May 2026. A circular containing the invitation and provisional agenda has been issued. Further information can be found here.

The IOPC Funds Annual Academy will take place from Monday, 15 June to Friday, 19 June 2026 at the  Funds’ headquarters in London.

The week-long programme will cover all aspects of the work of the organisation and will include practical exercises involving a theoretical incident and the subsequent claims submission process.  The Annual Academy, which is supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Group of P&I Associations, INTERTANKO and ITOPF, will also offer participants insights into the relationships and common objectives of those stakeholders which are particularly important in tanker incidents where the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions apply.

Participation is open to representatives of 1992 Fund Member States only. Applicants must be formally nominated by a government representative and submit their nomination via an online application form.

Further information about the Academy is available in circular: IOPC/2026/Circ.4.

The deadline for nominations for this year’s event is Monday, 11 May 2026.

The next regular meeting of the IOPC Funds governing bodies will take place during the week commencing 19 October 2026. A circular containing the invitation and provisional agenda will be issued nearer the time. Further information can be found here