Spillcon 2023

The IOPC Funds were delighted to participate in Spillcon, the international oil spill conference for the Asia‑Pacific region, which took place from 11 – 15 September 2023 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Australia.

Prior to the formal opening of the event on 11 September 2023, IOPC Funds Director, Gaute Sivertsen, and Senior Claims Manager, Chiara Della Mea, ran a complimentary workshop with the International Group of P&I Clubs (International Group) for Spillcon participants.

The three-hour course focused on cost recovery and compensation under the international liability regime for oil pollution damage.  It provided regulators and responders with background information on how to maximise legitimate cost recovery following a major oil pollution incident. Participants were taken through what happens after a tanker spill and how claims are submitted and assessed under the international oil pollution liability and compensation regime.

The workshop proved very popular with some 60 attendees from various IOPC Fund Member and non-Member States taking part.

The Secretariat also had exhibition space at the event, which it shared with the International Group.  The stand attracted a large number of visitors and provided many opportunities to create awareness of the international liability and compensation regime, to explain how the two organisations work together to provide compensation for tanker spills and to provide guidance on the claims process.

Later in the week, the Director chaired a conference session on cost recovery and compensation under the international regime, during which Ms Della Mea delivered a presentation alongside colleagues from the International Group and ITOPF.

The whole event provided the IOPC Funds with a great opportunity to engage with government and industry representatives and other key stakeholders from the region. This included a very useful meeting with Chief Executive of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Mick Kinley.

Spillcon takes place on a triennial basis in coordination with Interspill, which is held in Europe, and IOSC, which takes place in the United States.