IOPC Funds contributes to maritime law workshop in Canada

The IOPC Funds contributed to a workshop on the theme “The Present and the Future of Maritime Law: National and International Perspectives” at the University of Ottawa on 19 March 2026. Hosted by the University of Ottawa and sponsored by the Law Commission of Canada, the event brought together national and international experts to discuss key maritime conventions and the development of Canada’s maritime legal framework in areas such as seabed mining, autonomous vessels and environmental protection.

IOPC Funds HNS Project Manager, Gillian Grant, joined panellists from across the maritime legal sector for these discussions. In her presentation entitled “From sanctions to HNS: issues facing the IOPC Funds and why they matter for Canada”, she outlined the role and structure of the IOPC Funds and the legal framework underpinning the international liability and compensation regime for ship-source oil pollution. Ms Grant highlighted the key issues currently confronting the IOPC Funds, including the potential impact of international sanctions, current geopolitical developments in the maritime sector, non-compliance by some Member States with their treaty obligations, and the importance of ensuring treaty-compliant insurance arrangements.

She also provided an update on the status of the 2010 HNS Convention and the IOPC Funds’ role in preparations for its expected entry into force. In this context, she noted the importance of the Convention and the benefits it offers to Canada and other Contracting States, particularly in light of recent HNS incidents and the anticipated increase in the global transport of HNS cargoes as the shipping industry continues its decarbonisation efforts.

Whilst in Canada, Ms Grant met with officials from Ship and Rail Compensation Canada, where she provided an overview of the HNS Convention and discussed current issues affecting the IOPC Funds. She was  joined remotely by IOPC Funds Policy Officer, Yuji Okugawa, and Information Technology Officer, Stuart Colman, to deliver a detailed demonstration of the online HNS Reporting Platform for officials from Ship and Rail Compensation Canada and Transport Canada.

Canada, a Member State of both the 1992 Fund and the Supplementary Fund, has played a proactive role in promoting the 2010 HNS Convention and was one of the early States to ratify the HNS Protocol.

Twelve States must accede to the HNS Protocol for the treaty to enter into force. To date, eight States have ratified the Protocol, with commitments from several others expected to follow. The 2010 HNS Convention is anticipated to enter into force in the near future, approximately 18 months after the criteria have been met.