IOPC Funds hosts Annual Academy 2025

The IOPC Funds’ Annual Academy took place from Monday 9 to Friday 13 June at the Funds’ headquarters in London.

This year’s Academy was attended by participants from 14 Member States of the 1992 Fund representing a range of backgrounds, including several in legal, financial and diplomatic positions within their administrations, industry stakeholders and others.  Some of them had participated in meetings of the IOPC Funds’ governing bodies previously, while others were completely new to the work of the organisation.  In either case, their active participation in the Academy provided the Secretariat with an excellent opportunity to strengthen its relationship with each Member State present, and to establish a confirmed IOPC Funds focal point.

Throughout the week, participants were provided with interactive and comprehensive training which covered all aspects of the work of the IOPC Funds and the international liability and compensation regime for ship-sourced oil pollution. The programme included presentations from various speakers from the Secretariat as well as from other organisations who kindly support the event and with whom the IOPC Funds work closely, namely the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Group of P&I Associations, the Steamship Mutual P&I Club, INTERTANKO, ITOPF and the International Chamber of Shipping.

The participants also heard from the Director, Gaute Sivertsen, who explained how the organisation is addressing the challenges currently facing the international liability and compensation regime. This was followed by an open session with the Director during which participants were invited to ask him any questions they felt pertinent. This led to an interesting and interactive session with a very engaged group.

Although primarily based at the IOPC Funds’ offices, the participants also enjoyed a tour of the IMO building and visited the International Group, Steamship Mutual P&I Club and the Lloyd’s of London building, which included a guided tour organised courtesy of the International Group.

Towards the latter part of the week, participants were provided with practical insight into handling an oil spill response and the resulting claims.

Following a simulated oil incident, participants were divided into groups to act as response coordinators. Using maps and equipment lists, they located the spill, planned a response strategy to protect key sites. Based on the actions they chose to implement, each group then prepared and submitted a clean-up claim.. Participants then went through a variety of sample claims covering environmental damage, fisheries and tourism.

Regular training and engagement with Member States is a priority for the IOPC Funds as it facilitates understanding of the role of both the Secretariat and the Member State in relation to the general functioning of the organisation during the course of the year but also, importantly, in the event of an incident.  The Annual Academy provides an excellent opportunity for the Secretariat to deliver such training and to connect with delegates to the IOPC Funds’ meetings and government officials who have a responsibility in the areas of oil reporting and oil spill preparedness and response.

The dates for the 2026 Academy and the deadline for nomination by governments will be announced early next year.