News
29 June 2017

HNS – Latest News

  • IMO celebrates 50 years of government and industry working together
  • Norway becomes the first state to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol
  • EU Member States are formally authorised to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol

David Tyler, Director WLPGA, and Osamu Uehira, Secretary General Japan LP-Gas Association, attended the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) meetings in London during April representing the WLPGA. The WLPGA has been an official observer to these meetings since 2009.

The meetings marked a series of milestones.

>>> The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrated its 50th birthday this year following the Torre Canyon disaster

Fifty years ago, the grounding of the Torrey Canyon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torrey_Canyon_oil_spill) focused the world's attention on the risks and environmental impact of major marine oil spills. It became a catalyst for positive change resulting in the introduction of a comprehensive regulatory framework, safer shipping, improved preparedness and response and adequate compensation. Notably, it prompted the development of the international liability and compensation regime and the establishment of the IOPC Funds.

An exhibition to mark 50 years of government and industry working together to address the risk of oil pollution from ships has been established at the IMO Headquarters and was attended by David Tyler and Osamu Uehira. An online version of the exhibition is available via the IMO website.

>> It was announced that Norway has become the first state to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol

The Director of the IOPFC, Mr. José Maura, announced that Norway has become the first state to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol. Ms Dilek Ayhan, State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, and Mr Gaute Sivertsen, Chairman of the 1992 Fund Assembly, visited the IOPC Funds office on Friday 21 April 2017 to hand over the instrument of ratification to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at the IMO Headquarters. Although eight States (Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway and Türkiye) have signed the 2010 HNS Protocol, subject to ratification, Norway is the first State to ratify it.

Mr. José Maura said: “I am delighted that Norway has taken all the necessary steps to become the first State to ratify the Convention. This is great progress and I hope that further States will soon follow Norway and bring about the entry into force of the 2010 HNS Convention.”

 

>> EU Member States are now formally authorised to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol

The Council of the European Union, having received consent from the European Parliament in early April, has now formally adopted two decisions relating to the Protocol of 2010 to the HNS Convention. These decisions, taken on 25 April 2017, authorise Member States of the European Union to ratify or accede to, as appropriate, the Protocol of 2010 to the HNS Convention.

As parts of the Convention fall under the EU's exclusive competence in the area of maritime transport, EU Member States needed to be authorised to be able to ratify or accede to it which is the purpose of the first decision. In addition, the Convention contains provisions that affect EU secondary legislation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, issues which are covered by the second Council decision.

The WLPGA are observer members to the 2010 HNS Convention to ensure the LPG industry’s position is protected during the development of the Protocol. LPG is classified as one of the Hazardous and Noxious Substances covered by the 2010 HNS Convention.

  • The transport of LPG by sea is a global trade (1,250 LPG ships in 2014 - source: Clarksons)
  • Incidents do happen involving LPG ships
  • Potential consequences of LPG shipping incidents can be significant and costly
  • A comprehensive international compensation regime is missing
  • The HNS Convention will fill that gap
  • The HNS Convention is based on a long standing and successful oil pollution regime

To read more about the Convention visit www.imo.org and www.hnsconvention.org or contact David Tyler on dtyler@wlpga.org, there is also an HNS FAQ on www.wlpga.org (search HNS … All You Need To Know).