IOPC Funds’ Director attends ITOPF Board meeting

IOPC Funds’ Director, Gaute Sivertsen, attended the annual ITOPF Board meeting on 13 November 2024 in London, United Kingdom.

He was pleased to be invited to provide an update on the latest developments relating to the work of the IOPC Funds. In a brief presentation, the Director, highlighted some of the key decisions taken at the recent sessions of the IOPC Funds’ governing bodies, notably the decision to levy 2024 contributions to cover payments of compensation for several incidents this year and the adoption of Resolutions to address the increasing risk presented by oil being transported on unsafe or uninsured ships.

He recognised the importance of the collaborative relationship between ITOPF and the IOPC Funds and referred to some of their recent joint activities. The IOPC Funds has worked closely with ITOPF, which provides technical advice on preparedness and response to accidental marine spills, since the establishment of the original 1971 Fund in 1978.  This partnership has enabled them to work on numerous incidents together over the years, most recently during the Gulfstream, Marine Honour, and Terranova oil pollution incidents in Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore and the Philippines respectively. The two organisations also regularly collaborate on various projects and activities relating to the promotion and implementation of the international liability and compensation regime for ship-source oil pollution. ITOPF also supports the IOPC Funds’ Annual Academy and is currently working with the IOPC Funds, IMO and other stakeholders on the development of a draft Claims Manual and updated overview brochure for the 2010 HNS Convention.

The annual participation of the IOPC Funds Secretariat at ITOPF’s Board meeting provides the opportunity for direct interaction with the shipowners who are members of ITOPF and a number of P&I Clubs who are also members of the Board.