In addition, a detailed study of the Erika case reveals some of the rationale for several of the persistent capabilities of marine pollution liability regimes. Payments of compensation and the administrative costs of the 1971 IOPC Fund had been financed by contributions levied on companies in Fund Convention countries that received crude oil and heavy fuel oil after sea transport. The tanker owner is normally entitled to limit his liability to an amount which is linked to the tonnage of the tanker causing the pollution.

Secondly, if, for instance, the ship is bareboat chartered and pursuant to the charter party the owner is liable for bunker oil pollution damage — which would make sense, given that the owner is essential to retain insurance coverage or other monetary safety to cover liability for pollution damage — claimants would nonetheless be entitled to bring a claim against the bareboat charterer, who apparently … Read the rest >>>