The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution 2001 Update on State Certification Requirements and Issuance of Blue Cards

CIRCULAR REF: 2009/022

CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS, BROKERS AND DIRECTORS

Members have previously been advised that the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution 2001 (the “Bunker Convention”) entered into force in State Parties on 21 November 2008 for vessels in excess of 1000gt.  As already notified, Clubs in the International Group have agreed to issue the required Bunker Convention “Blue Cards” to enable State parties to issue certificates.

State Certification

(i) Ships registered in State Parties

Ships registered in a State Party need only obtain a Bunker Convention certificate from that State.  This will be treated as evidence of insurance when calling at any port or terminal in any State Party.  The Bunker Convention certificate will be issued against the provision of a Blue Card issued by the Club in the required form.  Members with ships registered in a State Party are recommended to contact the authorities in that State in order to confirm the application procedures for Bunker Convention certificates.   

(ii) Ships registered in non-State Parties

Ships registered in a State which is not party to the Convention but will be trading to States that have ratified the Convention, must obtain a Bunker Convention certificate from a State Party to the Convention.

Issue of Blue Cards 2010

Members’ Blue Cards will be addressed to the State Party as previously notified to the Association for 2009 (below is a current list of State Parties).  If your Flag State has ratified the Bunker Convention mid year we shall address your 2010 Blue Card to the relevant State Party.  Members are reminded that if the Flag State for the vessel is a party to the Convention the Bunker Convention certificate must be issued by that State.

For ships not flying flags of State Parties, Blue Cards will be addressed to the same State Party as advised for 2009 unless the Association is specifically instructed to address it to another State Party.  We shall keep Members advised as to which State Parties have agreed to issue certificates to ships not flying their flags.

States Party to the Convention

(as at 12 November 2009)

Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Bulgaria, China, Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Kiribati, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, St Vincent & Grenadines, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Kingdom and Vanuatu.

John Howe

Director – North Insurance Management Limited

As Managers on behalf of the North of England P&I Association Limited