Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the IOPC Funds and the national Canadian Fund (SOPF)

The IOPC Funds and the Canadian Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund (SOPF) have agreed and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance readiness, cooperation and efficiency in the handling of claims and to formalise their roles in any future oil pollution incident involving both organisations.

In Canada, claims for pollution damage can be submitted directly to and are paid by SOPF who can recover costs from the shipowner’s insurer and the IOPC Funds.  SOPF has worked closely with the IOPC Funds for over 30 years.

On 23 March 2023, Director of the IOPC Funds, Gaute Sivertsen, and the Administrator of SOPF, Ms Anne Legars, each signed the agreement during a short ceremony which was organised remotely, with Mr Sivertsen and colleagues participating from the IOPC Funds’ office in London, and Ms Legars and colleagues, connecting from the SOPF offices in Ottawa.

Mr Sivertsen also took the opportunity to express his appreciation to Ms Legars, noting that she was soon to step down as Administrator of SOPF after seven years in the role. He thanked her for always cooperating with the organisation and for actively participating in the meetings of the IOPC Funds’ governing bodies. Both Mr Sivertsen and Ms Legars acknowledged that the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding was a significant milestone for the two organisations, which will further strengthen the long-standing relationship between them in the years to come.