USCG increases OPA 90 limits of liability

USCG is required by statute to adjust the limits of OPA 90 not less than every three years to account for increases in the CPI. The intent of the adjustments is to prevent the statutory limits of liability from depreciating due to inflation.

OPA 90 proscribes that the responsible parties or facility from which oil is discharged or which poses a substantial threat of discharge of oil, into or upon navigable waters or the adjoining shorelines are strictly liable, jointly and severally under 33 U.S.C. 2702.

The coast guard is responsible for adjusting the limits of liability for ships, deepwater ports and onshore facilities. The procedure for determining the amount of adjustment is defined by the coast guard’s regulations and found at 33 CFR 138.240.

Operators should note that the responsible party, as defined under OPA 90, will lose the right to limit liability if the discharge was caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct or if there was a violation of federal safety, construction, or operating regulation by the responsible party, agent employee or contractual privy.

A responsible party will also lose the right to limit liability if it fails to report the incident, provide reasonable cooperation and assistance with removal of the spill as requested or comply with the authority’s orders.