The Funds

The two intergovernmental organisations, the 1992 Fund and the Supplementary Fund, which together form the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) were established in 1996 and 2005 respectively. The Supplementary Fund was established to supplement the compensation available under the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions with an additional third tier of compensation. Membership of the Supplementary Fund is optional and any State which is a Member of the 1992 Fund may join. The membership of both Funds is increasing.

The IOPC Funds are financed by levies on certain types of oil carried by sea. The levies are paid by entities which receive oil after sea transport, and normally not by States. The two organisations have a joint Secretariat, based in London.

Anyone who has suffered pollution damage in a Member State may make a claim against the IOPC Funds for compensation. Information on the types of claims which are admissible and the IOPC Funds’ claims handling process can be found under the Claims section. A timeline of key events in the history of the IOPC Funds, dating back to the establishment of the original International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, 1971 (1971 Fund) is available here.