2019 Induction Course for 1992 Fund Member States

The IOPC Funds ran an Induction Course for 1992 Fund Member States on 18 October 2019 at the Funds’ headquarters in London.

The Induction Course was developed following the success of the annual IOPC Funds’ Short Course, and in response to a continued demand from Member States to hold training specifically aimed at providing delegates with an insight into the functioning of the organisations and a better understanding of the interaction between a Member State and the IOPC Funds in the event of an oil spill.

The Director and members of the Secretariat introduced participants to the international liability and compensation regime, as well as the entire process from an incident first occurring to the first claim being paid. The Course covered the role of the Member State’s delegation in London and the assistance that can be provided to the Member State by the IOPC Funds both during and after the incident: the dispatch of experts on the scene of the spill, the establishment of a local claims office and what to expect from court proceedings.

The Course was followed by a networking luncheon which provided participants an opportunity to ask the Secretariat questions and to discuss any areas of particular interest not covered during the course, in a more informal setting.

Initial feedback from the 18 participants, representing 16 Member States, was very positive and, subject to demand, the Director intends to continue to offer the Induction Course annually.