HNS Convention

This page contains background information on the HNS Convention.

Documents are added as time permits. The most recent amenments are marked with NEW! (click on the icon for one of the the most recent amendments).

Some files are in the .pdf format.

You can be notified by email when this page is changed by clicking here.

The contact person for the webpage is Professor Erik Røsæg.

Shortcuts to the topics on this page:

  • The HNS Convention, 1996
  • The HNS Convention, Protocol of 2010
  • Explanatory notes
  • Implementation State by State
  • IMO Legal Committe and other meetings
  • IOPC Correspondence Group correspondence
  • IMO Correspondence Group correspondence
  • From the press
  • Organizational matters (including one common address for entire correspondence group)
  • Other materials

    The HNS Convention, Protocol of 2010
  • Preliminary version of the agreed text of the Protocol of 2010

    Diplomatic Conference

  • Agenda
  • Draft Protocol

    Preparatory Documents

  • LEG 95 Report
  • LEG 95 Working Paper on the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code and the Revised HNS Convention
  • LEG 95 draft text of Revised HNS Convention
  • LEG 95 draft text of Revised HNS Convention - consolidated version
  • LEG 95 paper on the definition of HNS in the Revised HNS Convention
  • Final Report of LEG 94 in respect of the HNS Convention
  • IMO Legal Committee Document Oct 2008 from the IOPC Funds on revision of the HNS Convention: Contributions to the LNG account
  • IMO Legal Committee Document Sept 2008 on revision of the HNS Convention: Contributions to the LNG account
  • IMO Legal Committee Document Sept 2008 on revision of the HNS Convention
  • GIIGNL Brochure
  • Report on the First Meeting of the Fifth Intersessional Working Group ('HNS Focus Group')
  • Record of Decisions of the Twelfth Session of the IOPCF '92 Assembly (page 20-22 and 26!)
  • Report of the 93rd session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • The proposals are found here: Further documents can be found at the IOPC Document Server. A Correspondence Group on LNG has existed, but the correspondence is not available on Internet.

    The HNS Convention, 1996
  • Text of Convention
  • DipCon documents
  • IMO Document LEG 71/3/4
  • Example calculations that show how the HNS Points system works: Excel format (live - fill in your own figures) - pdf format
  • Summary of ratifications, etc.
  • IMO's website for official documents
  • Title of HNS Convention in French:"Convention internationale de 1996 sur la responsabilité et l'indemnisation pour les dommages liés au transport par mer de substances nocives et potentiellement dangereuses (SNPD)"
  • Title of HNS Convention in Spanish: "Convenio internacional sobre responsabilidad e indemnización de daños en relación con el transporte marítimo de sustancias nocivas y potencialmente peligrosas, 1996 (SNP)"

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    Explanatory notes

  • HNS Convention implementation guide
  • HNS Convention overview
  • HNS Guide
  • Provisional list of imported amounts of HNS
    See also papers from meeting in Ottawa 3-6 June, 2003

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    Implementation State by State

  • The ratification of 12 states is necessary for the new instrument to enter into force (se details in the table below). On the procedure, see the information on the IMO webpage.
  • IMO Circular on entry into force.

    EU Member States

  • Authorization of EU Member States to ratify the HNS Convention
  • EU propsal for implementation of the HNS Convention, etc (part of the Third Maritime Safety Package)
  • EU Council debate on the propsal for implementation of the HNS Convention, etc (concluding remarks from 2:25)
  • Overview of EU decisionmaking process in respect of the liability part of the Maritime Safety Package (PreLex). The proposal failed and resulted in an insurance directive.
  • Commitment of EU Member Staates to support the IMO Work

    The following states have actually ratified:

    The following states have published implementation studies, etc:
  • Canadian implementation proposal
  • Irish implementation legislation
  • UK implementation legislation
  • UK consultation paper
  • Russian implementation legislation: Word format - pdf format
  • Proposal for implementation legislation drafted and commented by The Norwegian Maritime Law Committee (in Norwegian; translation of the draft legislation here)
  • Proposal for implementation legislation drafted and commented by The Danish Maritime Law Committee (in Danish) and Danish implementation legislation (in Danish)
  • Proposal for Swedish implementation legislation (in Swedish)

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    IMO Legal Committe and other meetings

    Meeting in Ottawa 3-6 June, 2003 (first implemantation goahead)

  • Report of Ottawa meeting: Word format - pdf format
  • Overview of working papers from Ottawa meeting
  • Working papers from Ottawa meeting
  • PowerPoint presentation: The Interrelationship between the Maritime Liability Conventions (IOPC Fund)
  • PowerPoint presentation: The first tier (Norway)
  • PowerPoint presentation: Insurance Aspects of the HNS Convention (CEFIC)
  • PowerPoint presentation: National Regulations on Reporting Requirements and Industry Concerns – the UK experience to date (UK)
  • PowerPoint presentation: Preparations for Implementation of the HNS Convention in the Republic of Korea (Republic of Korea)

    Reports to the Legal Committee

  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 80th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 81st session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 82nd session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 83rd session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 84th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 85th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 86th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 87th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Papers forwarded from the Correspondence Group to the 87th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 88th session of the IMO Legal Committee
  • Report from the Correspondence Group to the 89th session of the IMO Legal Committee

    • Other

  • IMO Asembly resolution on HNSC implementation
  • Documents from EMSA workshop
  • Documents from 2nd EMSA workshop

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    IOPC Correspondence Group correspondence

  • Proposal for the establishment of a Correspondence Group
  • Report of meeting establishing the Correspondence Group

  • Norway 19 June 07
  • Romania 20 June 07
  • Norway 21 June 07
  • Romania 22 June 07
  • Spain 20 July 07
  • Netherlands 20 July 07
  • Spain 20 July 07
  • Romania 25 July 07
  • UK 27 July 07
  • Romania 31 July 07
  • Canada 9 Aug 07
  • GIIGNL 10 Aug 07
  • Romania 13 Aug 07
  • UK 13 Aug 07
  • Norway 15 Aug 07
  • UK 16 Aug 07
  • Romania 16 Aug 07
  • Norway 17 Aug 07
  • Canada 17 Aug 07
  • Romania 21 Aug 07
  • Norway 21 Aug 07
  • Romania 22 Aug 07
  • Norway 10 Sep 07
  • Romania 17 Sep 07
  • Spain 17 Sep 07
  • Norway 18 Sep 07
  • GIIGNL 18 Sep 07
  • Canada 18 Sep 07
  • Norway 19 Sep 07
  • Norway 19 Sep 07 #2
  • Canada 19 Sep 07
  • Norway 20 Sep 07
  • Norway 20 Sep 07 #2
  • Canada 20 Sep 07
  • Norway 21 Sep 07
  • Norway 25 Sep 07
  • GIIGNL 2 Oct 07

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    IMO Correspondence Group correspondence

  • UK 15 Apr 05
  • UK 23 Sept 04: Word format - pdf format
  • UK 8 Sept 04: Word format - pdf format
  • Spain 13 Feb 04
  • UK 11 Feb 04
  • UK 12 Dec 03
  • UK 17 Sept 03: Word format - pdf format
  • UK 27 June 03
  • UK 14 March 03: Word format - pdf format
  • UK 4 March 03: Word format - pdf format
  • UK 7 October 02
  • UK 21 August 02: Word format - pdf format
  • UK 29 July 02: Word format - pdf format
  • UK 11 June 02: Word format - pdf format

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    From the press

  • IMO pushes ahead with HNS draft protocol
  • IMO LegalCommittee to shore up HNS Convention
  • Spain begins appeal over $1bn Prestige claim
  • Insurers slam Brussels for ship expulsion threat under new law
  • Owners risk breach of new European insurance law
  • Total back in claims firing line over Erika oil spill
  • Lives at risk as shippers flout safe container stowage
  • More time needed on draft HNS protocol
  • Mitropoulos urges swift action on HNS treaties
  • IMO set to debate HNS convention
  • ‘Watered down’ safety policies are approved
  • French owners urge IMO to follow lead on Erika 3
  • EU ministers approve diluted safety directives
  • Brussels ready to dilute civil liability directive
  • European parliament backs rejected safety laws
  • Euro MPs get ‘cheeky’ with redrafting of safety plans
  • On the last lap?
  • Total in frame for Erika oil clean-up costs
  • Total liable
  • Industry fails in bid to halt EU pollution sanctions
  • CLD would not improve safety at sea
  • Green backing in‘Prestige’ appeal
  • Who killed the Civil Liability Directive?
  • IAPH calls for faster conventions ratification
  • EU civil liability directive to be 'shelved indefinitely'
  • Brussels questions P&I exemption renewal
  • Ministers sink EU safety laws
  • Shipping industry regulation must be on international basis
  • Sharp rise in casualties in chemical and LPG sectors
  • Campaign to speed up conventions ratification
  • Action call over EU safety rules
  • EU Civil Liability directive returns
  • EC in pole position
  • Coalition stands ground in EU pollution dispute
  • Industry loses first round in EU pollution legal battle
  • Intertanko still standing
  • Court of Justice ruling delivers blow to shipping
  • EC claims round one?
  • Intertanko awaits ‘opinion’ from ECJ
  • Industry may triumph in EU pollution row
  • EU forced into rethink of sanctions for polluters
  • Commission tightens its grip
  • Delegates confident of fixing hazardous treaty
  • Pollution law kicked out
  • Governments clash over HNS convention
  • Nations seek agreement over HNS convention
  • Clubs reverse position on terrorist cover
  • Britannia seeks huge rates hike
  • Bid to end confusion on political violence cover
  • At peace with P&I
  • Shipowners hit by heavy P&I premiums hike
  • ICS warns of hazardous gap in global liability
  • LNG worries blow up
  • Terror cover shortfalls worry shipowners
  • Warning over terrorism risk cover shortfall
  • French owners seek curbs over Erika 3 package
  • Blow for European Commission as Erika 3 package is broken up
  • ICS urges veto on parts of Erika 3 package
  • Brussels to shame EU ship safety package critics
  • IMO rejects Brussels' claims
  • IMO and European bodies’ joint actions continue to shape shipping
  • Barrot rebukes states over EU safety package
  • Priority must be given to ratify IMO conventions
  • Campaign to speed up IMOconvention ratification
  • Compensation call over boxship pollution in Europe
  • Lloyd’s revises terrorism clauses
  • An historic day dawns on a dramatic rise in limits of liability
  • HNS Convention gains UK support
  • Maritime Emergencies
  • Closing in on chemical spill compensation
  • Growing momentum for HNS clamp
  • Tangible damage clouds concern over HNS threat
  • MCA pelted in pollution report
  • Casualty payouts give pact new life

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    Organizational matters

  • One address for mailing to all correspondents: erik.rosag@jus.uio.no or fax +47 9476 0189.
  • General guidelines for correspondence groups

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    Other materials

    Uninsured vessels
  • OECD Report on the Removal of Insurance from Substandard Shipping
  • Note on uninsured vessels: Word format - pdf format
  • The Norström Report
  • IOPC documents on pollution from ships without IACS Class/ International Group P&I insurance

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    SDRs

  • SDR valuation
  • What is an SDR?

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    Academic papers

    Further suggestions for entries are most welcome

  • Erik Røsæg: Non-collectable contributions to the separate LNG Account of the HNS Convention (from The Journal of International Maritime Law).
  • Meltem Deniz Güner's research project: The Carriage of dangerous Goods by Sea
  • A Background Document for the Development of a International Convention for Liability and Compensation relating to Non Toxic Pollution from Shipping (NTS Convention) published by KIMO International
  • Derek McKinley: The 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea: Implications for State Parties, the Shipping, Cargo and Insurance Industries.
  • Philip R. Weems and Kevin D. Keenan: Is the LNG Industry Ready for Strict Liability? (from the LNG Journal)
  • Prof. Erik Røsæg on compulsory HNS insurance
  • Prof. Erik Røsæg on compulsory insurance
  • Prof. Erik Røsæg on the influence of insurance practices on legislation

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    IOPC Fund (the HNS Fund administrator)

  • IOPC fund's HNS web page
  • HNS Reporting Software - making the reporting of HNS easy

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    Industry Contacts

  • CEFIC - European Chemical Industry Council
  • FECC - The European Association of Chemical Distributors
  • OCIMF - Oil Companies International Marine Forum
  • OGP - International Association of Oil & Gas Producers
  • WLPFGA - World LP Gas Association
  • Cedigaz
  • CLNG - Center for Liquefied Natural Gas
  • Japan LNG Corporation
  • GIIGNL -The International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers

  • ICS - International Chamber of Shipping
  • INTERCARGO - International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners
  • INTERTANKO - The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners
  • ITOPF - International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
  • International Parcel Tankers Organization

  • FETSA - Federation of European Tank Storage Associations
  • SIGTTO - Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators Ltd

  • A shipowner developing CNG technology

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    Safety and safety concerns

  • Riley Law on LNG safety
  • DnV on LNG safety
  • Rabaska on LNG safety
  • NOW interview with Stephen Flynn
  • UNECE Dangerous Goods Page

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    Market information

  • British Petroleum Statistical Review of World Energy 2006
  • Natural Gas Trade Movements
  • US Energy Information Administration on LNG
  • LNG importers
  • LNG exporters
  • LNG worldwide trade
  • Poten & Partners
  • WTO trade statistics
  • TradeMap

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    P&I Clubs and other insurance

    P&I and other insurance

  • International Group of P&I Clubs
  • P&I cover 2013
  • P&I Confidential on the 2013 renewal
  • Gard's Rules
  • Lloyd's of London home page
  • IUMI web page
  • Blue Card form
  • Alteranative Risk Transfer

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    Example information systems

  • US COFRs
  • Equasis
  • Chemical Distribution Institute
  • SIRE
  • Classification society
  • P&I club

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    Relevant European Union materials

  • EU directive on environmental liability
  • EU directive on the insurance of shipowners
  • Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system
  • EMSA liability web page
  • EU competition decision on P&I clubs

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    CRTD Convention

  • Text of CRTD Convention
  • Working Group - background
  • Working Group - documents

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    Other conventions, etc

  • French Erika decision
  • US Prestige decision
  • Basel Liability Protocol
  • LLMC: LLMC 1976 - LLMC 1996 Protocol - LLMC 1996 consolidated
  • NEW!LLMC amendments 2012
  • Bunkers Liability Convention
  • CLC/FUND Conventions
  • CLC/FUND amendments 2000
  • 2003 amendments to the FUND Convention (third tier)
  • Convention on Civil Liability for Damage
    resulting from Activities Dangerous to the Environment
  • International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage resulting from the
    Exploration for, or Exploitation of, Submarine Mineral Resources
  • Nuclear liability - IAEA
  • Nuclear liability - NEA
  • International Law Commission's work on
    International Liability for Injurious Consequences
    arising out of Acts not Prohibited by International Law
  • Liability Protocol to the Antarctis Treaty System
  • IMO Guidelines on Shipowners' Responsibilities in Respect of Maritime Claims
  • On the "HNS Protocol" (which is not a Protocol to the HNS Convention)
  • Small Tanker Oil Pollution Indemnification Agreement (STOPIA) and Tanker Oil Pollution Indemnification Agreement (TOPIA)
  • EU directive on environmental liability
  • EU directive on the insurance of shipowners
  • Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage Resulting from Exploration for and exploitation of Seabed Mineral Resources, 1976

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    Accidents

  • P&I analysis of of HNS incidents (2008)
  • Hazardous Material Incidents: Some Key Results of a Risk Analysis (by Arben Mullai and Everth Larsson; from International Symposium on Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection September 20-21, 2007, Athens, Greece)
  • Case histories of marine chemical accidents from the Swedish Coast Guard
  • Texas City incident
  • List of HNS incidents
  • Chemical accidents (Cabinet d'Avocats, Jean-François Carlot)
  • CEDRE (Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution)

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