The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will impose the treaty provisions covering liability and compensation for pollution caused by fuel oil spills from ships starting November 21, 2008, said an IMO communique.
"Current regimes covering oil spills do not include bunker oil spills from vessels other than tankers," said the IMO. "The last significant gap in the international regime for compensating victims of oil spills from ships is set to be closed."
Final criteria for entry into force of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage-2001 were met on November 21 with the accession to the treaty by Sierra Leone.
The convention was adopted in 2001 by the IMO, the United Nations agency responsible for safety at sea and marine pollution by ships.
"When the convention is in force, ships over 1,000 tons registered in a State Party to the Convention will be required to carry on board a certificate certifying that the ship has 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," said the IMO communique.
Separately, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to new emissions standards for diesel engines used on board large ocean-going vessels. The EPA said the standards are in line with recent US proposals to the IMO on ship pollution reduction.
"Diesel ships are a global economic workhorse," said EPA administrator Stephen Johnson. "Working with the International Maritime Organisation, EPA is reducing emissions from the shipping sector - making ports across the world harbours of cleaner air."
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