ITOPF Staff visit IOPC Funds

On 13 March 2025, the IOPC Funds welcomed staff from ITOPF to its London offices. The two organisations share a longstanding partnership, having collaborated on numerous incidents and projects for over 40 years. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange updates on the latest developments and projects, share experiences with colleagues in corresponding departments, meet new recruits from both sides, and strengthen the longstanding close relationship between the two organisations.

IOPC Funds’ Director, Mr Gaute Sivertsen, delivered welcome remarks emphasising the importance of continued collaboration between the two organisations. ITOPF’s Managing Director, Oli Beavon, also spoke about the benefits of regular engagement and knowledge sharing given the important role both parties play in the international oil spill community.  A series of presentations followed, covering a range of topics of mutual interest, including the roles of both organisations, the history of their partnership, and ongoing and new incidents.

Discussions also addressed key areas of current interest such as santions, the dark fleet, and substandard shipping, as well as the role of technology in incident response. An update on the HNS Convention was provided and its anticipated impact on the Secretariat’s future work.

The teams also explored other factors shaping the future work of both Secretariats, with Mr Sivertsen and Mr Beavon, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two organisations.

ITOPF, established in 1968 in the wake of the Torrey Canyon oil spill, operates on a not-for-profit basis and specialises in responding to ship-source spills of oil, chemicals and other hazardous substances.

Further information about ITOPF can be found here.