Canada and Turkey ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol

Canada and Turkey both ratified the 2010 HNS Protocol on 23 April 2018. They join Norway as the first three States to deposit instruments of ratification to the Protocol and lead the way towards entry into force of the 2010 HNS Convention.
The IOPC Funds’ Director, José Maura, was delighted to be present as the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom, Sarah Fountain Smith, handed Canada’s instrument of ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at the IMO headquarters on 23 April 2018.
Members of the Canadian delegation to the IOPC Funds, François Marier and Gillian Grant, representing Transport Canada and the High Commission respectively, were also present for this important occasion together with IMO’s Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Division, Frederick Kenney.
His Excellency Abdurrahman Bilgiç, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United Kingdom, deposited Turkey’s instrument of ratification during the opening day of the 105th session of the IMO Legal Committee. With 25.4 million tonnes of HNS contributing cargo reported, this ratification brings a significant proportion (over 60%) of the amount required to trigger the entry into force of the Convention.
There has been significant progress reported by a number of other States in recent months and it is hoped that a number of those States will ratify in the near future.
A workshop organised by IMO in cooperation with the IOPC Funds is set to take place on 26 and 27 April 2018 where representatives of States and industry are expected to share information and discuss subjects such as reporting, policy and other practical issues which States must consider when working towards ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol.
The IOPC Funds has been given the role of carrying out the tasks necessary to set up the International Hazardous and Noxious Substances Fund (HNS Fund) and making preparations for the first session of the HNS Assembly. The 1992 Fund Secretariat also remains available to work with IMO and support States in their efforts to prepare for ratification or accession to the HNS Convention as well as industry stakeholders on technical issues. For further information please visit www.hnsconvention.org.