The HNS (Hazardous & Noxious Substances) convention, why it is needed

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In 1984, IMO convened a conference to consider a new instrument dealing with compensation for accidents involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) but the issue proved to be so complex that the attempt had to be abandoned. Because of the heavy workload of the Legal Committee, it was not until 1996 that the matter could be considered again. The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) by Sea, adopted in London in May 1996 by IMO.

A Correspondence Group was established at the 80th session of the Legal Committee to assist the Committee in monitoring the implementation of the HNS Convention. Its website contains all of the Group's correspondence and many useful documents which will help in answering any difficulties regarding implementation of the regime.

The Correspondence Group has also produced an overview to the HNS Convention, agreed by the Legal Committee at its 84th session, which provides straightforward but fundamental information on the key issues that fall within the scope of the Convention.

However, by 2009, the HNS Convention had still not entered into force, due to an insufficient number of ratifications. A second International Conference, held in April 2010, adopted a Protocol to the HNS Convention (2010 HNS Protocol), that was designed to address practical problems that had prevented many States from ratifying the original Convention. ​

Together with the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), IMO has produced a six-page brochure that explains the benefits of the convention and encourages the next steps for States to implement and accede to the convention.

Click on below image to download the full document.

IMO147 HNS Convention A4 Ad24smaller.jpg

 

 

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