Gard P&I Club informed operators that there are new oil spill response requirements in Honduras. The requirements will come into force on 1 January 2018 and will apply to both tank and non-tank vessels.
The Honduras Maritime Authority advised that according to Act DGMM-022-2015 all vessels must nominate an oil spill response organisation (OSRO) which has been approved by the Authority to secure the availability of private personnel and equipment necessary to remove a worst-case discharge, and to mitigate or prevent a threat of such a discharge.
One OSRO currently exists, the ‘Ocean Pollution Control S.A. Honduras’, who has agreed to an unamended RESPONSECON form in the event of a spill.
RESPONSECON is the standard industry contract developed by BIMCO/ISCO for the hire of specialised spill response services and equipment in the event of an incident in international waters outside the US. The terms and conditions are bases on the International Group’s guidelines for vessel response plan contracts.
The Honduras Maritime Authority has confirmed that an IG Club’s Certificate of Entry is enough evidence of insurance to cover the liability of the registered owner for pollution damage for all vessels calling at Honduran ports or requesting anchorage within Honduran waters. This must be submitted to Port State Control officials at least 24 hours before the vessel’s arrival together with, for CLC tankers, the vessel’s State Certificate issued in accordance with the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage.
The shipowner will also need to arrange via their local ship’s agent in Honduras a “standby contract” – Certificate of Coverage for marine pollution response issued by Ocean Pollution Control S.A. Honduras. The wording of the stand-by contract conforms to International Group’s guidelines. The contract has the following footer: “Ocean Pollution Control, S.A. Honduras Effective 01.12.2017”.
You can see the circular issued by Gard Club below
