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International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, as amended in 1962 and 1969

Document type
Multilateral
Field of application
Global
Date
May 12, 1954
Source
IUCN (ID: TRE-000135)
Title abbreviation

OILPOL 1954

Title (French)

Convention internationale de 1954 pour la prévention de la pollution des eaux de la mer par les hydrocarbures telle qu'amendée en 1962 et 1969

Title (Other)

Internationales Übereinkommen zur Verhütung der Verschmutzung der See durch Öl, 1954, mit Änderungen von 1962 und 1969

Place of adoption
London
Depository
IMO International Maritime Organization
Language
English, French
Entry into force
Jul 26, 1958
Subject
Waste & hazardous substances, Sea
Keyword
Size Residues Harbour Transport/storage Maritime zone Hazardous substances Registration Marine pollution (ship-based sources) Institution Navigation Oil pollution Pollution control
Abstract

Objective: To take action to prevent pollution of the sea by oil discharged from ships.

Summary of provisions: This Convention applies to all ships, except tankers of under 150 tons gross tonnage and other ships of under 500 tons gross tonnage, registered in the territory of, or having the nationality of, a Party. Naval ships and ships engaged in whaling are also excepted (art. 2). Discharges are prohibited, except when a ship is proceeding en route or when the instantaneous rate of discharge does not exceed 60 litres per mile. The prohibition is not applicable when the following conditions are satisfied: * in the case of a ship - the oil content of the discharge is less than 100 parts per million parts of the mixture, or the discharge is made as far as practicable from land; * in the case of a tanker - the total quantity of oil discharged on a ballast voyage does not exceed one fifteen-thousandth of the total cargo-carrying capacity, or the tanker is more than 50 miles from the nearest land (art. 3); Exceptions to article 3 are provided in cases of necessity to secure safety of ships, save life or prevent damage to cargo, or where leakage is unavoidable and alt measures have been taken to minimise it (art. 4). Ships are to be fitted within 12 months to prevent escape of oil into the bilges (art. 7). Parties undertake to provide appropriate facilities at ports and oil-loading terminals (art. 8). All ships covered by the Convention are to carry an oil record book in a form specified in the annex, to be completed whenever certain operations take place (art. 9). Parties agree to send texts of laws, decrees, orders and regulations giving effect to the Convention to the United Nations.

This abstract takes into account the amendments adopted in 1962 and 1969.

(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005, based on UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 1996)

Full text
English   French  
Website
www.imo.org

Country/Territory/Participant

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Countries Entry into force Ratification * Withdrawal
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain -
Bangladesh
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Congo
Cyprus
Côte d'Ivoire
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Egypt
Fiji -
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guinea
Iceland
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait
Lebanon
Liberia
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Madagascar
Maldives
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Slovenia -
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela, Boliv. Rep. of
Yemen -

* [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature

References - Treaties

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Other references

Literature
7 records related to this treaty. View literature