IOPC Funds at Cedre Information Day

On 21 March 2024, IOPC Funds Director, Gaute Sivertsen, participated in the 28th Cedre Information Day in Paris, France.  

This year’s event featured two panel discussions, with the first highlighting chemical risks at sea: the latest on the Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Convention. Discussions in this session addressed the issue of the transport of chemicals at sea from a standpoint of the risks involved and the need for prevention, regulation, and response. The second session focused on knowledge development and new propulsion fuels within the context of decarbonising shipping.  

Director Sivertsen participated in an interactive first session alongside experts from the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture of France, the French General Secretariat for the Sea, Transport Canada and Gard P&I Club. 

During the panel discussions, the Director explained the current status of the Convention and the positive progress by States towards implementing this important treaty as well as the anticipated timeline for its entry into force. He referred to Member States’ responsibilities under the Convention, specifically with regards to reporting requirements.  

Mr Sivertsen also identified the different challenges resulting from incidents involving HNS compared to those relating to oil and the types of claims for compensation that can be expected. He outlined the Secretariat’s role, given its experience running the IOPC Funds, in the preparations for the entry into force of the 2010 HNS Convention and the assistance it is providing to interested States in relation to the practicalities of implementation. 

The event was attended by about 100 participants from government administrations and industry. 

Cedre, based in Brest, France, is an international non-governmental organisation which provides expertise in accidental water pollution, delivering response support, contingency planning, training, analysis and testing and research. The organisation has observer status with the IOPC Funds, regularly attends meetings of the governing bodies, and has collaborated with the Secretariat on various projects over the years.