Act on the Liability for Oil Pollution from Ships (No. 401 of 1980). Country/Territory Finland Document type Legislation Date 1980 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen., Sea, Waste & hazardous substances Keyword Marine pollution Hazards Oil Oil pollution Pollution control Special fund Liability/compensation Polluter pays principle Geographical area Arctic, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, North-East Atlantic, Northern Europe Abstract The Act shall apply to all oil pollution caused by a ship that discharges crude oil, heavy fuel, lubricating oils, diesel oil, whale oils and other oils of comparable permanence (“permanent oil”) in Finland or in any other State being a member to the Convention relating to Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (sect. 2). Liability for compensation of oil pollution shall lay in principle with the shipowner. Section 3 lists however various circumstances in which the shipowner shall be exempt from liability. Section 4 concerns claims that may be pursued against shipowners. The shipowner may limit liability for each pollution in accordance with sections 5 and 6. The shipowner, a third party on his behalf or his insurer sets up a limitation fund in accordance with provisions of this Act or corresponding legislation in a Member State. Section 7 provides for assets to the fund to be distributed to claimants if the liability amount should not be sufficient to cover the claims. Other provisions concern insurance and payment of compensation for damage also in relation to procedures taken in other member States. Full text English Website www.finlex.fi