Bunker spill from an oil and chemical tanker in ballast – Is the tanker a “ship” as defined in the CLC Convention when in ballast, and not carrying persistent oil?- Is limitation to be determined under CLC 1992 or the Bunker Convention 2001/ LLMC 76/96?
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage was adopted in March 2001.The Japanese Government deposited its instrument of accession for the Convention on 1st July 2020 and the condition for entry into force of the Convention will be met on 1st October 2020.
Refinery catalytic fines in marine fuel oil are not a new problem but in recent years there appears to have been an increase in the frequency of engine damage caused by these highly abrasive particles. In conjunction with Brookes Bell, the UK Club have produced the following technical advice for Members.
This was a very poorly planned bunkering operation from the outset with an almost complete neglect of the company SMS procedures. The bunkering checklist was ticked off but not in fact implemented.
From 1st January 2017, all the key ports (i.e. Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan, Huanghua, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong ) within the three China ECAs will implement the low sulphur bunker requirements. Please see attached the latest circular published by Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd.
The Limits of liability under the original LLMC 1996 protocol have been increased by 51% prompted by a number of high profile bunker pollution incidents, notably the Pacific Adventurer incident of Queensland, Australia in 2009.
