WLPGA Maintains its Observer Status with the IOPCF

The WLPGA successfully secured its observer status with the governing bodies of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) at meetings held during the week of 15th October 2012 at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.

The WLPGA was represented at these meetings by David Tyler, Director and Makoto Arahata, Overseas Business Manager of the Japan LP Gas Association. In a letter sent to the IOPCF in July 2012, Director David Tyler had outlined the reasons why the WLPGA should be allowed to retain its observer status for a further three years. During the October meetings the observer status of all non-governmental organisations was reviewed by a working party consisting of five delegations from Canada, China, Liberia, Poland and Qatar. These delegations reported back to the meeting on 17th October 2012 confirming their decision to grant an extension of observer status for the WLPGA until 2015.  
left to right: David Tyler, Director at WLPGA and Makoto Arahata, Overseas Business Manager of the Japan LP Gas Association
The involvement of the WLPGA at the IOPCF meetings is critical to the LP Gas industry. Mr Makoto Arahata explains: “...The HNS Convention will soon come into force. If an LP Gas ship is damaged and claims exceed the limit covered by the ships’ owners then the excess damage shall be compensated by the HNS Fund. The HNS Fund will be financed by contributions from receivers of LP Gas that has been transported by sea to the ports and terminals of the states who ratified the convention. We currently have a separate account for LP Gas and we will only meet claims resulting from incidents involving LP Gas cargos. It is important this separate account is maintained or our industry we be contributing to the damage caused by the cargoes which have nothing to do with our industry. In my view the WLPGA is the only organization that can represent the global LP Gas industry at the IOPCF meetings and to retain our observer status for a further three years is a vital achievement...” This month the WLPGA, represented by David Tyler and Makoto Arahata, will attend a workshop on the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Protocol organised by the International Maritime Organization in co-operation with the IOPC Funds. The workshop, which will take place on 12th and 13th November 2012 at the IMO Headquarters in London, is intended to facilitate States' preparations for the ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol, with a particular emphasis on reporting guidelines, which can be used by States when ratifying the Protocol. The workshop will also review best practices on implementation, including national legislation and ratification/transitional provisions.
For more information about the WLPGA’s important involvement in the IOPCF meetings contact David Tyler on dtyler@worldlpgas.com