BIMCO and ISCO Cooperate on Bunker Spill Response Contract Development

BIMCO and ISCO say they are working together to develop a standard contract for hiring of spill response services and equipment.

BIMCO Tuesday announced that it began work with the International Spill Control Organisation (ISCO) last week in London for the development of a standard contract for hiring of spill response services and equipment, intended for use by shipowners who have had a spill caused by one of their vessels and need to hire a contractor to perform clean-up services.

"At present, there is no single standard contract for the hire of specialised spill response services and equipment," explained BIMCO, noting that while salvage experts secure ships that have become casualties, preventing pollution from occurring or spreading further, clean-up operations are undertaken by separate contractors.

"Harmonised terms and conditions that are consistent with a shipowners' P&I insurance cover will help speed the process of getting essential spill response equipment on site as soon as possible."

The contract will cover issues such as hire payments for services and equipment, personnel and equipment mobilisation and demobilisation, insurance, as well as the parties' liabilities and responsibilities, says BIMCO.

The contract, which is being developed by pollution response experts from ISCO, P&I, and salvage industry representatives, is set to be ready for first draft review by the next Documentary Committee meeting in May.

On Wednesday, Ship & Bunker reported that samples taken from nine oil-covered birds found in Monterey Bay, California in the U.S. since last year are said to have been traced to bunkers leaking from the S.S. Jacob Luckenbach, a cargo ship that sank with 457,000 gallons of fuel in July of 1954