Civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage: Bunkers Convention

Official title: International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunkers Convention)

Subject category:
Marine / Oceans
Type of agreement / instrument:
Multilateral
Form:
Legally-binding treaty
Status:
  • Ratified by Canada October 2, 2009
  • In force in Canada January 2, 2010
  • In force internationally November 21, 2008
  • 102 state parties
Lead & partner departments:
Lead:
Transport Canada
For further information:
Web links:

International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage

Marine liability and compensation: oil spills

Contacts:
TC Inquiry Centre
Compendium edition:
February 2022
Reference #:
A74/EN

Plain language summary

The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, (Bunkers Convention) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization to make shipowners strictly liable for oil pollution damage from the ship and thus ensuring that compensation is available. The Bunkers Convention covers all seagoing ships and the pollution from the bunker oil used in their propulsion and operation. It also provides for compulsory insurance for shipowners to cover their liability.

Objective

The objective of this Convention is to ensure that compensation is available to those who suffer oil pollution damage from ships in a State Party. Bunker oil spills occur more frequently than spills from oil tankers.

Key elements

The Bunkers Convention places the liability for oil pollution damage on the owner of the ship from which the polluting oil escaped or was discharged. Oil pollution damage includes loss or damage caused by contamination, reasonable measures to reinstate the environment and preventive measures to prevent or minimize further damage.

Subject to certain defences, this liability is strict. The Bunkers Convention also allows a shipowner to limit their liability based on limits set out in the International Convention on the Limitation for Liability for Maritime Claims, which are based on the tonnage of the ship.

A shipowner cannot limit liability if it is proved that the pollution damage resulted from the shipowner's personal act or omission, committed with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result.

The Bunkers Convention requires ships to maintain adequate insurance or other financial security in sums equivalent to the owner's total liability. State parties issue certificates attesting that insurance or financial security is in place.

The Bunkers Convention applies to all seagoing vessels carrying oil on board either for the propulsion or operation of the ship, but only ships of more than 1,000 gross tons are required to maintain insurance in respect of oil pollution damage.

Expected results

This Convention continues to allow Canada to ensure compensation from shipowners is provided to those who are affected by oil pollution from ships.

Canada’s involvement

Maritime shipping is an important part of trade and the Canadian economy. Through international agreements, Canada can ensure losses and damage from oil pollution are covered.

On June 23, 2009, amendments to the Marine Liability Act received Royal Asset and implemented the Bunkers Convention in Canada. Subsequently, on October 2, 2009, Canada ratified the Convention.

Results / progress

Activities

In 2015, the International Maritime Organization adopted amendments to the limits of liability under the International Convention on the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims. Regulations Amending Schedule 1 to the Marine Liability Act came into effect June 8, 2015 amending these limits.

Canada remains active in the international discourse on the implementation of the Bunkers Convention at the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization.

Reports

Under the Bunkers Convention, Canada issues certificates of financial security to shipowners who require them in accordance with the Convention’s requirements.

Results

The results of being party to the Bunkers Convention is that Canada promotes global uniformity and ensures that a liability regime is in place for oil pollution damage from ships in its waters.

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