International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) [*]
Done at: London
Date enacted: 1990-11-30
In force: 1995-05-13
The Parties to the present Convention,
Conscious of the need to preserve the human environment in general and the marine environment in particular,
Recognizing the serious threat posed to the marine environment by oil pollution incidents involving ships, offshore units, sea ports and oil handling facilities,
Mindful of the importance of precautionary measures and prevention in avoiding oil pollution in the first instance, and the need for strict application of existing international instruments dealing with maritime safety and marine pollution prevention, particularly the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974,as amended, and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended, and also the speedy development of enhanced standards for the design, operation and maintenance of ships carrying oil, and of offshore units,
Mindful also that, in the event of an oil pollution incident, prompt and effective action is essential in order to minimize the damage which may result from such an incident,
Emphasizing the importance of effective preparation for combating oil pollution incidents and the important role which the oil and shipping industries have in this regard,
Recognizing further the importance of mutual assistance and international co-operation relating to matters including the exchange of information respecting the capabilities of States to respond to oil pollution incidents, the preparation of oil pollution contingency plans, the exchange of reports of incidents of significance which may affect the marine environment or the coastline and related interests of States, and research and development respecting means of combating oil pollution in the marine environment,
Taking account of the "polluter pays" principle as a general principle of international environmental law,
Taking account also of the importance of international instruments on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage, including the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC); and the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND); and the compelling need for early entry into force of the 1984 Protocols to the CLC and FUND Conventions,
Taking account further of the importance of bilateral and multilateral agreements and arrangements including regional conventions and agreements,
Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in particular of its part XII,
Being aware of the need to promote international co-operation and to enhance existing national, regional and global capabilities concerning oil pollution preparedness and response, taking into account the special needs of the developing countries and particularly small island States,
Considering that these objectives may best be achieved by the conclusion of an International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
General provisions
1. |
Parties undertake, individually or jointly, to take all appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and the Annex thereto to prepare for and respond to an oil pollution incident. |
2. |
The Annex to this Convention shall constitute an integral part of the Convention and a reference to this Convention constitutes at the same time a reference to the Annex. |
3. |
This Convention shall not apply to any warship, naval auxiliary or other ship owned or operated by a State and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service. However, each Party shall ensure by the adoption of appropriate measures not impairing the operations or operational capabilities of such ships owned or operated by it, that such ships act in a manner consistent, so far as is reasonable and practicable, with this Convention. |
Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Convention:
1. |
"Oil" means petroleum in any form including crude oil, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and refined products. |
2. |
"Oil pollution incident" means an occurrence or series of occurrences having the same origin, which results or may result in a discharge of oil and which poses or may pose a threat to the marine environment, or to the coastline or related interests of one or more States, and which requires emergency action or other immediate response. |
3. |
"Ship" means a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the marine environment and includes hydrofoil boats, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, and floating craft of any type. |
4. |
"Offshore unit" means any fixed or floating offshore installation or structure engaged in gas or oil exploration, exploitation or production activities, or loading or unloading of oil. |
5. |
"Sea ports and oil handling facilities" means those facilities which present a risk of an oil pollution incident and includes, inter alia, sea ports, oil terminals, pipelines and other oil handling facilities. |
6. |
"Organization" means the International Maritime Organization. |
7. |
"Secretary-General" means the Secretary-General of the Organization. |
Article 3
Oil pollution emergency plans
1. |
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2. |
Each Party shall require that operators of offshore units under its jurisdiction have oil pollution emergency plans, which are co-ordinated with the national system established in accordance with article 6 and approved in accordance with procedures established by the competent national authority. |
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3. |
Each Party shall require that authorities or operators in charge of such sea ports and oil handling facilities under its jurisdiction as it deems appropriate have oil pollution emergency plans or similar arrangements which are co-ordinated with the national system established in accordance with article 6 and approved in accordance with procedures established by the competent national authority. |
Article 4
Oil pollution reporting procedures
1. |
Each Party shall:
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2. |
Reports under paragraph (1)(a)(i) shall be made in accordance with the requirements developed by the Organization and based on the guidelines and general principles adopted by the Organization. Reports under paragraph (1)(a)(ii), (b), (c) and (d) shall be made in accordance with the guidelines and general principles adopted by the Organization to the extent applicable. |
Article 5
Action on receiving an oil pollution report
1. |
Whenever a Party receives a report referred to in article 4 or pollution information provided by other sources, it shall:
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2. |
When the severity of such oil pollution incident so justifies, the Party should provide the Organization directly or, as appropriate, through the relevant regional organization or arrangements with the information referred to in paragraph (1)(b) and (c). |
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3. |
When the severity of such oil pollution incident so justifies, other States affected by it are urged to inform the Organization directly or, as appropriate, through the relevant regional organizations or arrangements of their assessment of the extent of the threat to their interests and any action taken or intended. |
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4. |
Parties should use, in so far as practicable, the oil pollution reporting system developed by the Organization when exchanging information and communicating with other States and with the Organization. |
Article 6
National and regional systems for preparedness and response
1. |
Each Party shall establish a national system for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution incidents. This system shall include as a minimum:
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2. |
In addition, each Party, within its capabilities either individually or through bilateral or multilateral co-operation and, as appropriate, in co-operation with the oil and shipping industries, port authorities and other relevant entities, shall establish:
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3. |
Each Party shall ensure that current information is provided to the Organization, directly or through the relevant regional organization or arrangements, concerning:
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Article 7
International co-operation in pollution response
1. |
Parties agree that, subject to their capabilities and the availability of relevant resources, they will co-operate and provide advisory services, technical support and equipment for the purpose of responding to an oil pollution incident, when the severity of such incident so justifies, upon the request of any Party affected or likely to be affected. The financing of the costs for such assistance shall be based on the provisions set out in the Annex to this Convention. |
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2. |
A Party which has requested assistance may ask the Organization to assist in identifying sources of provisional financing of the costs referred to in paragraph (1). |
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3. |
In accordance with applicable international agreements, each Party shall take necessary legal or administrative measures to facilitate:
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Article 8
Research and development
1. |
Parties agree to co-operate directly or, as appropriate, through the Organization or relevant regional organizations or arrangements in the promotion and exchange of results of research and development programmes relating to the enhancement of the state-of-the-art of oil pollution preparedness and response, including technologies and techniques for surveillance, containment, recovery, dispersion, clean-up and otherwise minimizing or mitigating the effects of oil pollution, and for restoration. |
2. |
To this end, Parties undertake to establish directly or, as appropriate, through the Organization or relevant regional organizations or arrangements, the necessary links between Parties' research institutions. |
3. |
Parties agree to co-operate directly or through the Organization or relevant regional organizations or arrangements to promote, as appropriate, the holding on a regular basis of international symposia on relevant subjects, including technological advances in oil pollution combating techniques and equipment. |
4. |
Parties agree to encourage, through the Organization or other competent international organizations, the development of standards for compatible oil pollution combating techniques and equipment. |
Article 9
Technical co-operation
1. |
Parties undertake directly or through the Organization and other international bodies, as appropriate, in respect of oil pollution preparedness and response, to provide support for those Parties which request technical assistance:
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2. |
Parties undertake to co-operate actively, subject to their national laws, regulations and policies, in the transfer of technology in respect of oil pollution preparedness and response. |
Article 10
Promotion of bilateral and multilateral co-operation in preparedness and response
Parties shall endeavour to conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements for oil pollution preparedness and response. Copies of such agreements shall be communicated to the Organization which should make them available on request to Parties.
Article 11
Relation to other conventions and international agreements
Nothing in this Convention shall be construed as altering the rights or obligations of any Party under any other convention or international agreement.
Article 12
Institutional arrangements
1. |
Parties designate the Organization, subject to its agreement and the availability of adequate resources to sustain the activity, to perform the following functions and activities:
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2. |
In carrying out the activities specified in this article, the Organization shall endeavour to strengthen the ability of States individually or through regional arrangements to prepare for and combat oil pollution incidents, drawing upon the experience of States, regional agreements and industry arrangements and paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries. |
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3. |
The provisions of this article shall be implemented in accordance with a programme developed and kept under review by the Organization. |
Article 13
Evaluation of the Convention
Parties shall evaluate within the Organization the effectiveness of the Convention in the light of its objectives, particularly with respect to the principles underlying co-operation and assistance.
Article 14
Amendments
1. |
This Convention may be amended by one of the procedures specified in the following paragraphs. |
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2. |
Amendment after consideration by the Organization:
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3. |
Amendment by a Conference:
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4. |
The adoption and entry into force of an amendment constituting an addition of an Annex or an appendix shall be subject to the procedure applicable to an amendment to the Annex. |
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5. |
Any Party which has not accepted an amendment to an article or the Annex under paragraph (2)(f)(i) or an amendment constituting an addition of an Annex or an appendix under paragraph (4) or has communicated an objection to an amendment to an appendix under paragraph (2)(f)(ii) shall be treated as a non-Party only for the purpose of the application of such amendment. Such treatment shall terminate upon the submission of a notification of acceptance under paragraph (2)(f)(i) or withdrawal of the objection under paragraph (2)(g)(ii). |
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6. |
The Secretary-General shall inform all Parties of any amendment which enters into force under this article, together with the date on which the amendment enters into force. |
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7. |
Any notification of acceptance of, objection to, or withdrawal of objection to, an amendment under this article shall be communicated in writing to the Secretary-General who shall inform Parties of such notification and the date of its receipt. |
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8. |
An appendix to the Convention shall contain only provisions of a technical nature. |
Article 15
Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession
1. |
This Convention shall remain open for signature at the Headquarters of the Organization from 30 November 1990 until 29 November 1991 and shall thereafter remain open for accession. Any State may become Party to this Convention by:
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2. |
Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument to that effect with the Secretary-General. |
Article 16
Entry into force
1. |
This Convention shall enter into force twelve months after the date on which not less than fifteen States have either signed it without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval or have deposited the requisite instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in accordance with article 15. |
2. |
For States which have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in respect of this Convention after the requirements for entry into force thereof have been met but prior to the date of entry into force, the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall take effect on the date of entry into force of this Convention or three months after the date of deposit of the instrument, whichever is the later date. |
3. |
For States which have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession after the date on which this Convention entered into force, this Convention shall become effective three months after the date of deposit of the instrument. |
4. |
After the date on which an amendment to this Convention is deemed to have been accepted under article 14, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited shall apply to this Convention as amended. |
Article 17
Denunciation
1. |
This Convention may be denounced by any Party at any time after the expiry of five years from the date on which this Convention enters into force for that Party. |
2. |
Denunciation shall be effected by notification in writing to the Secretary-General. |
3. |
A denunciation shall take effect twelve months after receipt of the notification of denunciation by the Secretary-General or after the expiry of any longer period which may be indicated in the notification. |
Article 18
Depositary
1. |
This Convention shall be deposited with the Secretary-General. |
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2. |
The Secretary-General shall:
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3. |
As soon as this Convention enters into force, a certified true copy thereof shall be transmitted by the depositary to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for registration and publication in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. |
Article 19
Languages
This Convention is established in a single original in the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, each text being equally authentic.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments for that purpose, have signed this Convention.
Done at London this thirtieth day of November one thousand nine hundred and ninety.
Annex
Reimbursement of costs of assistance
1. |
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2. |
Unless otherwise agreed, the costs of action taken by a Party at the request of another Party shall be fairly calculated according to the law and current practice of the assisting Party concerning the reimbursement of such costs. |
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3. |
The Party requesting assistance and the assisting Party shall, where appropriate, co-operate in concluding any action in response to a compensation claim. To that end, they shall give due consideration to existing legal regimes. Where the action thus concluded does not permit full compensation for expenses incurred in the assistance operation, the Party requesting assistance may ask the assisting Party to waive reimbursement of the expenses exceeding the sums compensated or to reduce the costs which have been calculated in accordance with paragraph (2). It may also request a postponement of the reimbursement of such costs. In considering such a request, assisting Parties shall give due consideration to the needs of the developing countries. |
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4. |
The provisions of this Convention shall not be interpreted as in any way prejudicing the rights of Parties to recover from third parties the costs of actions to deal with pollution or the threat of pollution under other applicable provisions and rules of national and international law. Special attention shall be paid to the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage and the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage or any subsequent amendment to those Conventions. |
Ratifications as of May 2016
Number of ratifications: 109
Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen
[*] |
Supplemented by Protocol on Preparedness Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances adopted 2000-03-15, in force 2007-06-14. |