Director delivers guest lecture at IMLI

On 24 March 2026, IOPC Funds’ Director, Gaute Sivertsen, was pleased to return to the International Maritime Law Institute(IMLI), where he delivered a lecture to the Class of 2025–2026 and government representatives currently participating in the Institute’s Course on the Protection of the Marine Environment and Ocean Governance. The Director’s presentation, delivered on the topic: “The Fund Conventions and their Contribution of Adequate Compensation in Case of Oil Pollution Incidents”, was divided into four sessions over the course of the morning.

In the first session, he provided a comprehensive overview of the role and structure of the IOPC Funds and the legal framework governing the international liability and compensation regime for ship-source oil pollution. The session also covered contributions, the financing of the IOPC Funds and its governance structure.

In session two, the Director highlighted the different types of claims that are applicable within the framework of the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions and the admissibility criteria applied by the IOPC Funds.

In the third session, Mr Sivertsen provided updates on the status of recent incidents and outlined the challenges confronting the IOPC Funds.. In this regard, the Director referred to the failure of Member States to comply with their obligations and the potential impact of international sanctions on the international regime, current geopolitical developments in the maritime sector and the need to ensure treaty-compliant insurance arrangements.

In the final session, Mr Sivertsen gave an overview of the 2010 Convention on the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) by sea, including its status, how it will be financed and the IOPC Funds’ role in the lead up to its entry into force.

The Director’s presentation was well received by his audience, with a number of them asking questions at the end of each session.

IMLI, established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to provide advanced education in international maritime law, is based in Malta.

The IOPC Funds regularly delivers lectures to students of maritime law from IMLI and other universities as part of its efforts to enhance awareness and understanding of the international liability and compensation regime for oil pollution.For further information, contact us at outreach@iopcfunds.org.