Press Releases

Accession to the “International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001” and
the “Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007”

July 2, 2020

On July 1 (same day local time),the Government of Japan deposited its instrument of accession to theInternational Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, to Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the IMO headquarters in London.

1. The former was adopted at the international conference held by IMO in London in March 2001, with the objective of assuring adequate, prompt and effective compensation for damage caused by pollution resulting from the escape or discharge of bunker oil from ships. The latter was adopted at the international conference held by IMO in Nairobi in May 2007, with the aim of ensuring the prompt and effective removal of wrecks and payment of compensation for the cost therein involved.

2. The accession by Japan, one of the major shipping States, to these conventions is significant in terms of contribution to safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment through promotion of adequate measures to damage caused by pollution resulting from the escape or discharge of bunker oil from ships and prompt and effective removal of wrecks.

3. The conditions for entry into force of these conventions have been met. Therefore, these conventions will enter into force for Japan three months after the date of its deposit (October 1, 2020).


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