The IMO has informed that it is currently conducting a feasibility study to explore whether Ukraine can accede to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 (OPRC). This Convention provides the legal framework for international cooperation to address major oil pollution incidents.
Factors such as Ukraine’s existing legislative framework, institutional capacity, and resources allocated for oil pollution preparedness and response will be examined. The findings will help to outline a roadmap for the country’s accession to the Convention, while identifying potential barriers to its effective implementation.
The study will also consider the broader regulatory framework dealing with marine pollution, including IMO instruments related to prevention, response and liability and compensation, with a view to further strengthening Ukraine’s maritime regulatory regime.
Ukraine has ratified the 1992 Civil Liability Convention but yet to ratify or accede to other liability and compensation instruments, such as the Bunkers Convention and the 1992 Fund Convention.
The OPRC was adopted on 30 November 1990 and became effective on 13 May 1995. Ships are required to report incidents of pollution to coastal authorities and the convention details the actions that are then to be taken. The Convention calls for the establishment of stockpiles of oil spill combating equipment, the holding of oil spill combating exercises and the development of detailed plans for dealing with pollution incidents.
