§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what international conventions govern liability for(a) private shipping and (b) Government-owned vessels in cases of accidental collisions with oil industry installations in United Kingdom waters. [31207]
§ Mr. NorrisThere is no international liability and compensation regime that applies specifically to collision damage caused by ships involved in accidental collisions with oil industry installations. Following such a collision, the shipowners may generally limit liability to an amount determined in accordance with the convention on the limitation of liability for maritime claims 1976. There are also two international conventions which could govern the shipowners's liability for damage caused by the ship's cargo following such a collision. The civil liability convention 1992 makes shipowners liable for pollution damage caused by oils spills from tankers, whatever the cause of the spill. When it enters into force, the hazardous and 'noxious substances convention 1996 would extend the liability of shipowners to damage caused by all hazardous and noxious cargoes carried on ships. All three international conventions apply to all commercially operated ships, whether owned by a private individual, by a private company or by a Government.