Adoption:
30 November 1990
Entry into force: 13 May 1995
Parties to the OPRC convention are required to establish measures for dealing
with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.
Background
In July 1989, a conference of leading industrial nations in Paris called upon
IMO to develop further measures to prevent pollution from ships. This call was
endorsed by the IMO Assembly in November of the same year and work began on
a draft convention aimed at providing a global framework for international co-operation
in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution.
Parties to the OPRC convention are required to establish measures for dealing
with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.
Ships are required to carry a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan, the to
be developed by IMO. Operators of offshore units under the jurisdiction of Parties
are also required to have oil pollution emergency plans or similar arrangements
which must be co-ordinated with national systems for responding promptly and
effectively to oil pollution incidents.
Ships are required to report incidents of pollution to coastal authorities and
the convention details the actions that are then to be taken. The convention
calls for the establishment of stockpiles of oil spill combating equipment,
the holding of oil spill combating exercises and the development of detailed
plans for dealing with pollution incidents.
Parties to the convention are required to provide assistance to others in the
event of a pollution emergency and provision is made for the reimbursement of
any assistance provided.
The Convention provides for IMO to play an important co-ordinating role.
See also:
