This journey through vessel certification is nearing its final posts; a series of assorted guides to certificates missed on the first pass through the certificates. This revision guide covers two documents related to the IOPP certificate.
If things go wrong
MARPOL Annex I has the objectives of preventing oil reaching the sea, but these two certificates are associated with conventions whose objectives are to fund the cleaning up of pollution in the unfortunate event of a spill.
What are the two Oil Pollution Liability Conventions?
Two similar conventions exist, each with their own certificate.
- The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage
- The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
The first convention applies to all types of ships, and the latter to seagoing vessels carrying oil in bulk as a cargo.
Certificate of insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage
This certificate is Issued in accordance with the provisions of article 7 of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001. It certifies that there is in a policy of insurance or other financial security satisfying the requirements of article 7 of the International Convention.
What ships require the Certificate?
It is required by ships greater than 1000 GT.
What details are shown on the certificate?
- Name of Ship
- Distinctive Number or letters
- IMO Ship Identification Number
- Port of Registry
- Name and full address of the principal place of business of the registered owner.
- Type of Security
- Duration of Security
- Name and address of the insurers and/or guarantors
- Validity of certificate
What is the definition of pollution Damage?
A definition from the Convention
“‘ Pollution damage’ means: (a) (b) 10 loss or damage caused outside the ship by contamination resulting from the escape or discharge of bunker oil from the ship, wherever such escape or discharge may occur, provided that compensation for impairment of the environment other than loss of profit from such impairment shall be limited to costs of reasonable measures of reinstatement actually undertaken or to be undertaken; and the costs of preventive measures and further loss or damage caused by preventive measures.”
Certificate of insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for oil pollution damage
This is issued in compliance with the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil 
Pollution Damage (CLC) 1992. The Civil Liability Convention was adopted to ensure that adequate compensation is available to persons who suffer oil pollution damage resulting from maritime casualties involving oil-carrying ships. The Convention places the liability for such damage on the owner of the ship from which the polluting oil escaped or was discharged.
What vessels require the Certificate?
The Convention applies to all seagoing vessels actually carrying oil in bulk as cargo, but only ships carrying more than 2,000 tons of oil are required to maintain insurance in respect of oil pollution damage.
The certificate states that there is in force a policy of insurance or other financial security satisfying the requirements of Article VII of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992.
What information contained on certificate
This is the same range of information as shown on the bunker liability certificate, except it refers to the damage caused by cargo spillage.
A new Revision Guide
A Really Handy Guide to Ship Certification
Part 2- Managing the vessel
The second in Kindle format revision guides on ship Certification has just been published. ‘Managing the Vessel‘ covers ISM, safe manning and the Maritime Labour Certificate.
This Really Handy Guide mixes facts with questions, and a bit more, at a really handy price.
Navsregs 