International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001

Adoption: 23 March 2001

Entry into force: 21 November 2008

The Convention was adopted to ensure that adequate, prompt, and effective compensation is available to persons who suffer damage caused by spills of oil, when carried as fuel in ships’ bunkers.

The convention is modelled on the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969. As with that convention, a key requirement in the bunker’s convention is the need for the registered owner of a vessel to maintain compulsory insurance cover.

The Convention requires ships over 1,000 gross tonnage to maintain insurance or other financial security, such as the guarantee of a bank or similar financial institution, to cover the liability of the registered owner for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime, but in all cases, not exceeding an amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, as amended.

The Convention applies to all vessels over 1000 gross tonnage, with minor exceptions. Gross tonnage is calculated in accordance with Annex 1, International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969.

Non-State Party Ships

Palau International Ship Registry can issue Bunker Convention Certificates for vessels registered with Non-State Member of the Convention to certify proof of liability insurance or other financial security is in force in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

To get your Certificate, click here.