Asia/Pacific News
India Approves Ratification of Bunker Convention
The Government of India has approved the Ministry of Shipping's proposal to ratify the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage that will "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," local media reports.
The Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in early 2001, and put into effect late 2008 and is said to be ratified by maritime countries that make up 91 percent of global shipping tonnage.
This convention will apply to Indian vessels regardless of where they spill, and to any vessel that spills within Indian waters.
"The registered owner of every vessel has to maintain a compulsory insurance cover which allows claim for compensation for pollution damage to be brought directly against an insurer," an official statement was quoted as saying.
The certificate will be issued by the Directorate General of Shipping in India, and by respective maritime authorities in foreign places.
"No vessel will be permitted to enter or leave India without such a certificate," the official statement added.
Earlier this year, India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) considered removing bunker duty and penalties incurred by ship-breakers on bunker fuel left inside ships delivered for dismantling.
