BIMCO ISSUES REMINDER ON BUNKER CERTIFICATE

August 11 – BIMCO has issued a general reminder that the International Bunker Convention will enter into force in November 21 in the 22 countries that are a party to the Convention. The new civil liability regime makes shipowners, including registered owners, bareboat charterers, managers and operators liable for pollution damage from bunker oil.
The advisory said that “If your ship is over 1,000 GT and registered in a country that has ratified the bunker convention, or if your ship will call at a port or terminal within the territory of a signatory country, then you will be affected by the new legislation. You will need to have the necessary certification placed on board your ship by 21 November 2008 – so if you have not done so already, we recommend that you start the application process now.” Getting a bunker certificate is estimated to take three months.
There are two key documentary requirements for ships affected by the new Convention. Ships must obtain from their P&I Clubs a Blue Card which details information such as the name and IMO number of the ship and the name and address of the registered office of the registered owner. The Card provides evidence that the ship has in place adequate insurance cover to meet the liability requirements of the Convention. Without a Blue Card it will not be possible to obtain the second key document – the Bunker Convention certificate, which is issued by a signatory country. The Convention requires the registered owners of ships flying the flag of a signatory country to obtain from the authorities of that state a “Bunker Convention” certificate. This certificate provides the ship with evidence that it has the required insurance. “You require this certificate if your ship is flagged in a State Party even if your ship will not call at ports or terminals in other State Parties”, BIMCO said.
It is not yet clear which governments are prepared to issue Bunker Convention certificates to ships that are not flying that country’s flag. BIMCO said ships will not be able to obtain a Blue Card from their P&I Club until a signatory country has agreed to issue a Bunker Convention certificate. “This is because the P&I Clubs when issuing Blue Cards are required to address them to the State that will issue the Bunker Convention certificate. If your ship falls into this category it is essential that you contact your P&I Club at the earliest opportunity”, according to the statement.