Regional workshop on the International Liability and Compensatory Regimes for Pollution Damage. Activity Report. September 24-26, 2013 Barbados

Transcription

1 30 th September 2013 Ref: Strategic Plan 12-13/ Programme No TC/1362 activity 5 Regional workshop on the International Liability and Compensatory Regimes for Pollution Damage Activity Report September 24-26, 2013 Barbados Summary: RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe implemented and delivered a regional workshop on the international liability and compensatory regimes for pollution damage. The objective of this event was to provide detailedd information on the importance and benefits of being Party to the international oil pollution compensatory regime instruments (CLC, Fund and Bunkers Conventions) as well as the practical aspects of establishing the necessary mechanisms at the national level for the implementation of these conventions. This activity was funded by the International Maritime Organization and hosted by the government of Barbados.

2 Table of Content 1. Background Workshop Objectives Program Logistics Support Findings Recommendations Annex 1 Participant List Annex 3 Results of the workshop evaluation... 17

3 1. Background 1.1 An oil spill can cause financial losses for a large number of organizations and individuals. Obviously, the cost will depend on a number of factors such as the type of oil spilled, the characteristics of the affected area (sensitivity, location etc.), the level of preparedness and the actual response. But, despite best efforts of all involved, clean-up can be difficult and costly. Oil may cause damage to property and economic loss, particularly affecting local fishing or tourism industries. 1.2 Those that are victims as a result of an oil spill may be eligible for compensation. However, payment of compensation for damage caused by a ship-source oil spill is dependent upon the legal regime applicable within the country in which the incident or damage occurs. 1.3 In order to ensure that adequate compensation is available to persons affected by a spill of persistent oil from tankers, a 3-layer compensation system was developed under the auspices of the IMO. The primary layer is the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (Civil Liability Convention, CLC). First adopted in 1969, then amended in 1992, it is now commonly referred to as the CLC 92. This Convention introduces the concept of strict liability for tanker owners, which means that even in the absencee of fault, the owner is accounted liable to pay for clean-up costs and pollution damage within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of an affected state. There are some exceptions (act of war, intent to cause damage by a third party, failure to maintain navigational aids) but the burden of proof lies with the owner in each case. Moreover, ships carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of oil are required to maintain insurance in respect of oil pollution damage and compensation limits set according to the tonnage of the tanker causing the pollution. The secondary layer is the 1971 International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, which was also amended in 1992 and is now referred to as the Fund 92. This Fund was created in order to cover the claims that exceeded the limit of liability of the tanker owners under the CLC 92. The maximum amount payable by the Fund 92, including the sum paid by the tanker owner, is US$310.9 million (rate on 1 November, 2013). The 1992 Fund is financed by contributions levied on any person who has received in a calendar year more than 150,000 tonnes of crude oil or heavy fuel oil after sea transport in a 1992 Fund Member State. The third layer is the 2003 Supplementary Fund. States that have ratified the CLC 92, the Fund 92 and are a member of the Supplementary Fund are entitled to a total compensation amount of up to US$1,148.8 million (rate on 1 November, 2013) for an incident. This Fund is financed in a similar way to the Fund 92 with the difference being that for the purpose of paying contributions, at least 1 million tonnes of contributing oil are deemed to have been received each year in each Member State. 1.4 In cases where the spill does not originate from a tanker or the substance spilled is not oil or persistent oil, others mechanisms exist to ensure adequate compensation. The Bunkers Convention, adopted in 2001, ensure that prompt and effective compensation is available to persons who suffer damage caused by spills of oil, when carried as fuel in ships' bunkers. The Convention requires ships over 1,000 gross tonnage to maintain insurance or other financial security to cover the liability of the registered owner for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime, but in all cases, not exceeding an amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, as

4 amended. The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS Convention) aims to ensure adequate, prompt and effectivee compensation for damage that may result from shipping accidents involving hazardous and noxious substances. The Convention is based on the two-tier system established under the CLC and Fund Conventions. However, it goes further in that it covers not only pollution damage but also the risks of fire and explosion, including loss of life or personal injury as well as loss of or damage to property. However, the HNS Convention is not yet in force. 2. Workshop Objectives 2.1 To provide detailed information with regard to the international liability and compensatory regimes for pollution damage. 2.2 To provide practical information on the implementation of the international liability and compensatory regimes for pollution damage 2.3 To get an overview of the status of implementation of the international liability and compensatory regimes for pollution damage in the different countries. 2.4 To share ideas, concerns and identify impediments among the participants and aid them in moving forward on solutions. 2.5 To develop and to support agency cooperation at the local level and to improve links between stakeholders, industry, NGOs and government. 3. Program 3.1 The workshop was organized by RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe in co-operation with the IMO under Activity 4.3.i.1 of the Strategic Plan. Funding was provided under the Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme by the IMO Programme Implementation Document TC/ C/1362, Activity The Environmental Protection Department of Barbados agreed to host the workshop. Participants sponsored by REMPEITC to attend this workshop included members from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The event was attended by 24 people - comprising 19 participants, 3 speakers/experts, and 2 staff members from RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe. The participant list is included as Annex The event started with the national anthem of Barbados followed by welcome address made by Mr. Eddison Alleyne, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Drainage, Mr. Anthony Headly, Director (Ag), Environmental Protection Department and Ms. Anne Reglain, RAC/REMPEITC- the opening Caribe. After a brief introductionn of the participants and the purpose of the workshop, ceremony was concluded by a group photo. The rest of the morning was then dedicated to a series of lectures introducing the various international compensation regimes ( CLC 92, Fund 92,

5 Supplementary Fund, LLMC 96, Bunkers 2001 and HNS Conventions) and the role of the IOPC Funds, ITOPF and the P&I Clubs. In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to share about the oil pollution compensation legal framework in place in their respective country. This session was then followed by a lecture on the impacts of oil spills and the response options. 3.4 The following day focused on the different types of claims covered under the conventions (claims for clean-up and preventive measure, claims for property damage and consequential/pure economic loss, claims for environmental damage and oil removed from wrecks), providing information regarding the admissibility criteria, the assessment of claims, evidence gathering and the common problems encountered. Various case studies were used to illustrate the topics covered. The day ended with a lecture covering the common problems and solutions regarding the implementation of the conventions into national law. 3.5 Throughout the first understanding. two days, practical exercises were used to test participants 3.6 The last day was dedicated to a table top exercise, enabling participants to put into practice what they have learnt during the workshop. 3.7 The training course outline is included in Annex An evaluation form of the event was distributed to the participants. The result are summarized and attached in Annex The closing ceremony was officiated by Mr. Anthony Headly, Director (Ag), Environmental Protection Department who thanked all the delegates for their active participation as well as RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe and the speakers for this enriching event Ms. Anne Reglain, RAC/ /REMPEITC-Caribe, added a few words, thanking the delegates, the speakers and the government of Barbados for this fruitful and successful activity and encouraged the delegates to keep moving forward Each participant received a certificate and a USB stick containing the program, a copy of all the lectures, the text of the conventions as well as relevant documents mentioned during the workshop. 4. Logistics 4.1 The workshop was held at: Accra Beach Hotel & Spa P.O. Box 73W Rockley, Christ Church Barbados WI Phone: Fax: salesmanager@accrabeachhotel..com 4.2 The participants, speakers and organizers stayed at the same hotel mentioned above.

6 5. Support 5.1 The Environmental Protection Department of Barbados providedd excellent support throughout the meeting. Amongst other things, the Environmental Protection Department also identified the hotel and meeting room facilities, negotiated the preferential rate for both, provided the audio/visual equipment, provided name cards, and organized transportation from and to the airport. The assistance of Ms. Laura Burnett, Administrative Officer, Environmental Protection Department, in preparing the workshop and throughout the proceedings was highly appreciated and most helpful. 6. Findings 6.1 This event enabled participants to gain a solid understanding of the importance and benefits of being Party to the international oil pollution compensatory regime instruments as well as how these instruments function. 6.2 Most countries represented at the workshop are signatory to the CLC 92 and Fund 92, with the exception of Haiti, Guyanaa and Suriname. Haiti and Guyana recognized the importance of ratifying the CLC 92, Fund 92 and Bunker Conventions and may require assistance to facilitate the ratification and later the implementation of the convention. 6.3 This workshop clearly highlighted the issues that countries are facing regarding the implementation of the conventions into national law. While some countries do not have the national legislation in place, others have not yet incorporated the amendments made since they have ratified the conventions. Participants indicated that the transmission of information is often problematic: information about the international oil pollution compensatory regime instruments is received by a person who do not clearly understand its scope and therefore does not transmit it through the right channels. Participants also pointed out the lack of awareness about the importance of the conventions at the political levell and the lack of capability to draft those types of legislation. 6.4 The following tables summarize the status of implementation of the international oil pollution compensatory regime instruments in the countries represented during this workshop (Haiti and Suriname are not signatory to any of these conventions, hence the absence of table for these two countries). Antigua & Barbuda CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Merchant Shipping Act 2006 Merchant Shipping Act 2006 Merchant Shipping Act 2013 Merchant Shipping Act 2013 Merchant Shipping Act 2013 implementation Draft Draft Draft Comments Not Covered* Not Covered* Not Covered*

7 Barbados CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Shipping (Oil pollution) Act 1994 Shipping (Oil pollution) Act 1994 implementation Not implemented Not implemented Not implemented Comments Legislation needs to be updated to reflect the recent amendments Legislation needs to be updated to reflect the recent amendments Belize CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law implementation Not implemented Not implemented Not implemented Comments Dominica CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Marine pollution Bill 2002 Marine pollution Bill 2002 Marine pollution Bill 2002 implementation Draft Draft Draft Comments Grenada CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Oil Pollution Damage compensation Fund (International Convention) Act number 6 of 1998 Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (International Convention) Act number 7 of 1998 implementation Comments

8 LLMC 96 Guyana CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Information not provided Information not provided implementation Comments Jamaica CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Shipping (Prevention Response Liability and Compensation)Act 2011 Shipping (Prevention Response Liability and Compensation)Act 2011 Shipping (Prevention Response Liability and Compensation)Act 2011 Shipping Act 1998 Shipping Act 1998 implementation Draft Draft Draft Comments St Kitts & Nevis CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law implementation Comments St Lucia CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law implementation Comments Shipping Act

9 St Vincent & the Grenadines CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Convention on Oil Pollution Damage Act, 2002 and Cap 347 of the revised edition of the Laws of SVG 2009 Convention on Oil Pollution Damage Act, 2002 and Cap 347 of the revised edition of the Laws of SVG 2009 implementation Comments Trinidad & Tobago CLC 69 CLC 92 Fund 92 Sup. Fund Bunker LLMC 76 LLMC 96 Ratification Legislation implementing the convention into national law Shipping (Marine Pollution Bill) Shipping (Marine Pollution Bill) Shipping Act 1987 implementation Being drafted Being drafted Comments : The legal system in most of the Caribbean States does not allow for direct application of international conventions. Therefore, the CLC and Fund Conventions need to be transposed into national law in order to becomee applicable. Thus for the countries that have not implemented the conventions into national law it is highly likely that compensation will not be available in case of an incident, even if the country has been contributing to the fund. Moreover, some countries may face issues with oil importers who might refuse to pay contributions because no legall obligations exist. 6.5 This workshop was also a very good networking opportunity and participants had the possibility to share their concerns with their counterparts in the region.

10 7. Recommendations 7.1 Provide maritime legislation drafting assistance; 7.2 Suggest the IOPC Funds to right a letter to the member states explaining the consequences of not having implemented the conventions; 7.3 Follow-up with the countries to track their progress regarding the implementation of the conventions 7.4 The IOPC Funds offered their support to the countries having issues with the implementation of the conventions; 7.5 Suggest the IOPC Funds to provide information on how to access crucial information on the IOPCF website in order to minimize the loss of information such as the amendments to the conventions.

11 Annex 1 Participant list Annex 2 Agenda Annex 3 Results of the workshop evaluation

12 Annex 1 Participant List 1. Antigua & Barbuda Kenroy Simmons Legal Research Officer Dept. of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping kenksimmons@gmail.com DELEGATES 2. Bahamas Cancelled 3. Barbados Richard Alleyne Manager of Marine Services Barbados Port Inc. 5. Barbados Ingrid Lavine Deputy director Environmental Protection Department ilavine@epd.gov.bb 7. Barbados Tonia Williams Marine Pollution Officer Environmental Protection Department 9. Belize Kenrick Gordon Environment Technician Department of the Environment kenrickgordondoe@yahoo.com 11. Grenada Lazarus Joseph Senior Pilot / Ship Inspector Grenada Ports Authority grenport@spiceisle.com 13. Haiti Exil Lucienna Specialiste en Milieux Marins Ministry of Environment of Haiti exillucienna@yahoo.fr 4. Barbados Anthony Headley Director (Ag) Environmental Protection Department aheadley@epd.gov.bb 6. Barbados Richard Suckoo Water Quality Analist Coastal Zone Management Unit 8. Barbados Kerry Hinds Deputy Director Department of Emergency Management Dominica Albert Peter Assistant Maritime Administrator Dominica maritime Administration maritime@cwdom.dm 12. Guyana Claudette Rogers General Director Maritime Administration Department claudetterogers@gmail.com 14. Jamaica Bertrand Smith Director Legal Affairs Maritime Authority of Jamaica bsmith@jamaicaships.com 15. St Kitts & Nevis McClean Hobson Director 16. St Kitts & Nevis Merida Cable Maritime and Legal Advisor

13 Department of Maritime Affairs St Lucia Danine Jones Legal Officer Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority Suriname Ryan Fung A Loi Head of the Legal Department Maritime Authority of Suriname rfungaloi@mas.sr Government of St. Kitts and Nevis St Vincent & the Grenadines Jillianjoy Davis Registrar of Ships and Seafarers Maritime Administration svgmarad@gmail.com 20. Trinidad & Tobago Brent Williams Senior Legal Officer Maritime Services Division bmw2112@gmail.com PRESENTERS 21. Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec Technical advisor ITOPF AnnabelleNicolas@itopf.com 22. Matthew Sommerville Head of Claims and Technical Advisor IOPC Funds matthew_sommerville@iopcfund.org 23. Thomas Liebert Head of External Relations and Conference IOPC Funds thomas_liebert@iopcfund.org Organizers 24. RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe Anne Reglain IMO Consultant areglain@cep.unep.org 25. RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe Ms. Carla Bikker Office Manager / IMO Associate carla@cep..unep.org

14 Annex 2: Agenda Day 1, Tuesday 24 th September :45 09:00 Registration of participants Session 1 OPENING 09:00 09:15 National Anthem Welcoming remarks Introduction of the Workshop: Welcoming remarks & Introduction of the Lecturers 09:15 09:30 Purpose of the workshop and programme agenda Introduction of the participants Group photo Session 2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK The international compensation regime for tanker spills: The 1992 Civil Liability Convention 09:30 10:30 The 1992 Fund Convention and the 2003 Supplementary Fund Protocol 10:30 10:45 Tea/Coffee Break Role of P&I Clubs Presentation of the International Group of P&I Associations 10:45 11:30 Role of the IOPC Funds Role of experts Session 3 LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR OTHER SHIP-SOURCE POLLUTIONS General Maritime Claims: LLMC, :30 12:30 Bunker oil spills: Bunkers Convention, 2001 Hazardous and Noxious Substances: HNS Convention, 2010 Lecturer/Facilitator Mr. Anthony Headley, Director, Environmental Protection Department Mr. Eddison Alleyne, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Drainage Ms. Anne Reglain, IMO Consultant, RAC/REMPEITC Mr. Matthew Sommerville, Head of the Claims Department, IOPC Funds Mr. Thomas Liebert, Head of External Relations, IOPC Funds Dr. Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec, Technical Adviser, ITOPF Mr. Thomas Liebert, Mr. Matthew Sommerville 12:30 13:30 Lunch Break 13:30 14:00 Exercise 1: Legal Framework Session 4 PRESENTATIONS ON NATIONAL FRAMEWORKS Applicable legal regime to environmental protection and response to 14:00 15:00 accidental pollution 15:00 15:15 Tea/Coffee Break Session 5 IMPACTS OF OIL SPILLS & RESPONSE OPTIONS Review of the causes of oil pollution Impacts of oil on marine and coastal resources Oil behaviour at sea Impacts on resources and claims for compensation resulting from oil spills 15:15 17:00 Response means Examples of cases handled by the IOPC Funds Assessment of the situation, the role of the stakeholders involved in the pollution response Phone: and 4612 limitations / ; Fax: ; rempeitc@cep.unep.org Response options a Delegates Dr. Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec

15 Day 2, Wednesday 25 th September 2013 Lecturer/Facilitator Session 6 CLAIMS FOR CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES 09:00 10:15 Claims Admissibility Criteria Common Problems Salvage & preventive measures Evidence gathering Role of experts Presentation of Claims Assessment of claims for costs for cleanup and preventive measures Mr. Matthew Sommerville 10:15 10:30 Tea/Coffee Break Session 7 CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND CONSEQUENTIAL / PURE ECONOMIC LOSS PART 1 10:30 11:30 Claims in the fisheries, mariculture and processing sectors Types of damage Claims admissibility criteria Common problems Presentation of claims Assessment of claims Dr. Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec Session 8 CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND CONSEQUENTIAL / PURE ECONOMIC LOSS PART 2 11:30 12:15 Claims in the tourism sector Types of damage Claims admissibility criteria Common problems Presentation of claims Assessment of claims Mr. Thomas Liebert 12:15 13:30 Lunch Break Session 9 CLAIMS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AND OIL REMOVED FROM WRECKS (REINSTATEMENT MEASURES, POST-SPILL STUDIES, ETC) Types of damage Claims admissibility criteria 13:30 14:00 Common problems Dr. Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec Presentation of claims Assessment of claims Session 10 CASE STUDIES AND PRACTICAL EERCISES 14:00 15:00 Exercise on claims admissibility criteria 15:00 15:15 Tea/Coffee Break Case studies: 15:15 16:15 Hebei Spirit Republic of Korea, 2007 Mr. Matthew Sommerville Solar I Philippines, 2006 Dr. Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec Bunker incident - TBC Session 11 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPENSATION REGIME INTO NATIONAL LAW 16:15 16:45 Basic principles r. Thomas Liebert Common Regional Problems Activity Center and / Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Trainin Mr Solutions ng Center

16 Day 3, Thursday 26 th September 2013 Session 12 FUNDING OF THE IOPC FUNDS Oil reporting procedures 09:00 09:30 Contributions and funding Session 13 TABLE TOP EERCISE 09:30 10:30 Table top Exercise - Phase I: Spill Response 10:30 10:45 Tea/Coffee Break 10:45 12:15 Table top Exercise - Phase II: Preparation of clean up claims Lecturer/Facilitator Mr. Thomas Liebert All All 12:15 13:30 Lunch Break 13:30 15:00 Table top Exercise - Phase III: Group Presentation of claims and assessment. 15:00 15:15 Tea/Coffee Break Session 14 GROUP DISCUSSION 15:15 16:30 Roundtable Questions, Comments and Recommendations Session 15 CLOSING SESSION Workshop evaluation 16:30 17:00 Closing Remarks Presentation of Certificates All All RAC/REMPEITC

17 Annex 3 Results of the workshop evaluation Was the invitation received in good time? 100% Yes No No answer Did you receive the information listed below about the event before your participation? Objective and scope 6% 6% 88% Subject areas and programme 12% 12% 76% Yes No No answer Yes No No answer Were the instructions on the following clear and easy to understand? Profile required of participant 12% 6% Completion and submission of the nomination form 6% 82% 94% Yes No No answer Yes No No answer

18 Did you receive logistical information on : No answer N/ /A No Yes If you were given any pre-event assignment, was it useful? To cover the topics fully, was the event Too long Just Right Too short No answer 33% 11% 6% 50% 17% 11% 72% Yes No N/A No answer How do you rate the event with regard to the following? Venuee Facilities Equipment No answer poor satisfactory good excellent

19 How do you rate the following aspects of the materials? No answer poor satisfactory good excellent How would you rate the following aspects of the presentations? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No answer poor satisfactory good excellent

20 How would you rate the use of the following? Course materials IMO reference materials Other resource materials Group and practical activities Field trips No answer N/A poor satisfactory good excellent Please rate Matthew Sommerville with regard to the following poor satisfactory good excellent Please rate Thomas Liebert with regard to the following No answer poor satisfactory good excellent

21 Please rate Annabelle Nicolas-Kopec with regard to the following No answer poor satisfactory good excellent What topics were of most interest and relevance to you? 1. Environmental pollution compensation. 2. Impacts of spills & response options and the legal framework for other ship source pollutions. 3. All. 4. Responding to an oil spill, claims and compensation. 5. Effects of oil spills, simulation exercises, Oil spill response. 6. Oil spill response options, administration of fund. 7. The entire workshop. 8. How to claim and the instances for which a claim would be valid. 9. All topics were important and appropriate. 10. Session 2, 3, 5, 6, CLC 92 and Fund Compensation process in case of an incident. 13. Fund Claims. Retrieval of oils. Are there any topics which should be added? 39% 11% 50% Yes No No answer

22 If yes, please list them: *No comments* Do you consider that the objective of the event was met? Are you likely to use the information you gained on the course when you return to your work? 100 % 1000 % Yes No No answer Yes No No answer Will you have the opportunity to transfer the knowledge gained to your collegues at work? 100 % Yes No No answer Comments : 1. I find the workshop extremely useful especially the practical exercises. I actually gained more from the exercises. 2. The efforts of the organizers is worthy of applause. 3. Thanks. 4. There were no course literature books available. CLC 92 and Fund 92 convention texts. 5. Situation of Fund Convention in the Caribbean and effort to support the new countries to enter. 6. Bunker oil convention. 7. I d suggest maybe having 2 participants from each country, notwithstanding expenditures and/or budgetary issues - Thus opening the possibility for participation from the countries oil and gas sectors, environmental ministries and legislative draftsmen. 8. Very informative timely and the information provided will aid in capacity building with respect to oil spill management and claims handling.