IOPC Funds participates in MANIFESTS Genius project’s final conference

The IOPC Funds contributed to the MANIFESTS Genius project’s final conference, hosted by Cedre in Brussels, Belgium, from 4 to 5 March 2026. The project, co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by Cedre, commenced in 2024 and concluded in late 2025. Its objective was to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities for the integrated management of coastal water pollution, with the release of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) as its primary focus.

IOPC Funds’ HNS Project Manager, Gillian Grant, delivered a presentation entitled “The 2010 HNS Convention: Impact on Maritime and Port Authorities”. She provided an overview of the 2010 HNS Convention, its current status, and the benefits it offers to Member States and port authorities, particularly in light of recent HNS incidents.

Ms Grant explained how the future HNS Fund will be financed, emphasised the importance of accurate reporting of HNS cargo, and underlined the critical role of the HNS Finder, the online database listing substances within the scope of the 2010 HNS Convention, including contributing cargoes.

The conference also featured presentations from six partner research institutions and public agencies from Belgium, Spain, France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Representatives of these organisations provided insights into key aspects of the project.

During a round table discussion on future fuel trends, Ms Grant highlighted the anticipated increase in the global transportation of HNS cargoes as the shipping industry advances towards decarbonisation. She underscored the importance of swift international cooperation to support the timely entry into force of the Convention and to strengthen the global framework for liability and compensation in cases of ship-source HNS incidents.

To date, eight States have ratified the HNS Protocol to the original 1996 HNS Convention, with commitments from several others indicating that further ratifications are expected this year. Twelve States are required to accede to the Protocol for it to enter into force as the 2010 HNS Convention. Entry into force is anticipated in the near future, approximately 18 months after the Convention’s entry criteria have been met.