IOPC Funds hosts students from Erasmus University Rotterdam

On 15 April 2024, the IOPC Funds hosted a group of 15 students from Erasmus University Rotterdam at the organisation’s London offices.

The visit, which takes place each year, enabled the students, who are studying for a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law, to gain insight into the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions, which together establish the basis of the international liability and compensation regime.

Deputy Director and Head of Claims Department, Liliana Monsalve, welcomed the students and gave a comprehensive overview of the organisation’s role and the legal framework behind the international regime. She also spoke to them about the types of claims covered under the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Conventions and the admissibility criteria applied by the IOPC Funds. Other staff members then spent time explaining the various areas of the Secretariat’s work.

Policy Officer, Yuji Okugawa, highlighted the obligations and responsibilities of Member States in relation to oil reporting, noting the importance of the timely submission of oil reports to the IOPC Funds.

The focus then shifted to contributions and financial management, with Finance Manager, Asayehegn Woldegebrail, providing detailed information on the financing of the IOPC Funds.

Information Officer, Raymond Bayor, detailed the various tools the IOPC Funds deploys and activities it organises to engage with Member States, claimants, contributors and other stakeholders. Finally, Information Technology Officer, Stuart Colman, outlined the varied role and importance of IT in the organisation.

Throughout the presentations, the students demonstrated keen interest and asked several questions.

The IOPC Funds is committed to sharing knowledge and raising awareness about the international liability and compensation regime for ship-source oil pollution. Each year, the organisation extends support to educational institutions by delivering lectures to university students, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the pertinent Conventions. For further enquiries or information, contact outreach@iopcfunds.org