IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E Mitropoulos has urged states to take steps to bring into force the 2010 Protocol to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (2010 HNS Protocol), after eight countries signed the protocol, subject to ratification or acceptance.

The treaty was adopted on April 30, 2010, and was open for signature from November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2011. The 2010 HNS Protocol now remains open for accession.

“I would urge all IMO member states to now move forward with bringing the protocol into force at the earliest possible date and, thereafter, to promoting the uniform and effective implementation of the HNS international regime,” said Mitropoulos. “The 2010 HNS Protocol establishes a comprehensive regime that will cover not only pollution damage from hazardous and noxious substances carried by ships, but also the risks of fire and explosion, including loss of life or personal injury as well as loss of or damage to property.”

Denmark was the first to sign the treaty, subject to ratification, on April 14. Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey signed the treaty, subject to ratification (or in the case of the Netherlands, subject to acceptance), on October 25. Greece also signed the treaty, subject to ratification, on October 31.

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