See the ENTRI query system for information about the signatory status of this treaty.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON CIVIL LIABILITY
FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE
(as amended)
Objectives
==========
To ensure that adequate compensation is available to persons
who suffer damage caused by pollution resulting from the escape or
discharge of oil from ships. To standardize international rules and
procedures for determining questions of liability and adequate
compensation in such areas.
Summary of provisions
=====================
(a) The owner of a ship at the time of an incident causing
oil pollution damage shall be liable for any damage so caused,
unless the incident is caused by act of war, exceptional natural
phenomenon, malicious act of a third party or negligence of a
Government or other authority in maintaining navigational aids (art.
3);
(b) Contributory liability on the part of the plaintiff may
be established in certain cases (art. 3);
(c) Where two or more ships have caused such damage, the
owners shall be jointly and severally liable (art. 4);
(d) Limits to liability established (art. 5);
(e) Ships carrying over 2,000 tons of oil as cargo must
maintain insurance (art. 7);
(f) Limitations of three and six years for rights of action
(art. 8);
(g) Warships are excluded (art. 11).
Membership
==========
Open to all Members of the United Nations, members of the
specialized agencies or parties to the Statute of the International
Court of Justice. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval
or accession to be deposited with the Secretary-General of IMO.
Amendments
----------
Date of adoption 29.11.1969 19.11.1976 25.5.1984
Place of adoption Brussels,Belgium London, UK London, UK
Date of entry into force 19. 6.1975 8. 4.1981 Not yet in
force
Languages English,French English,French Arabic, Chinese French,
French, Russian,
Spanish
Depositary IMO IMO
Participant Entry into force
----------- ----------------
Algeria 19. 6.1975
Australia 5. 2.1984
Bahamas 20.10.1976
Belgium 12. 4.1977
Benin 30. 1.1986
Brazil 17. 3.1977
Cameroon 12. 8.1984
Canada 24. 4.1989
Chile 31.10.1977
China 29. 4.1980
Colombia 14. 6.1990
Côte d'Ivoire 19. 6.1975
Cyprus 17. 9.1989
Denmark 19. 6.1975
Djibouti 30. 5.1990
Dominican Republic 19. 6.1975
Ecuador 23. 3.1977
Egypt 4. 5.1989
Fiji 19. 6.1975
Finland 8. 1.1981
France 19. 6.1975
Gabon 21. 4.1982
Germany 18. 8.1975
Ghana 19. 7.1978
Greece 27. 9.1976
Guatemala 18. 1.1983
Iceland 15.10.1980
India 30. 7.1987
Indonesia 30.11.1978
Ireland 19.11.1980
Italy 28. 5.1979
Japan 1. 9.1976
Korea, Republic of 18. 3.1979
Kuwait 1. 7.1981
Lebanon 19. 6.1975
Liberia 19. 6.1975
Maldives 14. 6.1981
Monaco 19.11.1975
Morocco 19. 6.1975
Netherlands 8.12.1975
New Zealand 26. 7.1976
Nigeria 5. 8.1981
Norway 19. 6.1975
Oman 24. 4.1985
Panama 6. 4.1976
Papua New Guinea 10. 6.1980
Peru 25. 5.1987
Poland 16. 6.1976
Portugal 24. 2.1977
Qatar 31. 8.1988
Russian Federationm 22. 9.1975
Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines 18. 7.1989
Senegal 19. 6.1975
Seychelles 11. 7.1988
Singapore 15.12.1981
South Africa 15. 6.1976
Spain 7. 3.1976
Sri Lanka 11. 7.1983
Sweden 19. 6.1975
Switzerland 14. 3.1988
Syrian Arab Republic 19. 6.1975
Tunisia 2. 8.1976
Tuvalu 1.10.1978
United Arab Emirates 14. 3.1984
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and
Northern Ireland* 19. 6.1975
Vanuatu 3. 5.1983
Yemen 4. 6.1979
Yugoslavia 16. 9.1976
The Convention applies provisionally in respect of Belize,
Kiribati and Solomon Islands.
* Extended to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of
Jersey and the Isle of Man on 1. 2.1976; Bermuda on 3. 2.1976; the
British Indian Ocean Territory, the British Virgin Islands and the
Cayman Islands on 1. 4.1976; the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and
Dependencies, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena
and Dependencies on 1. 4.1976; Seychelles (now an independent
State), the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom
Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the Island of
Cyprus on 1. 4.1976 and Anguilla on 1. 9.1984.
Convention Secretariat
======================
International Maritime Organization
4 Albert Embankment
London SE17SR, United Kingdom
Telephone: 071-735-7611
Fax: 071-587-3210
Telex: 23588
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