Answer
OPRC CONVENTION:
• Adopted :1990 , EIF :1995
• BRIEF HISTORY : In July 1989, a conference of leading industrial nations in Paris called upon IMO to
develop further measures to prevent pollution from ships.
• This call was endorsed by the IMO Assembly in November of the same year and work beg an on a draft
convention aimed at
• PURPOSE : providing a global framework for international co-operation in combating major Incidents or
threats of marine pollution.
Parties to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response & Cooperation (OPRC) are required to establish :
Measures for dealing with pollution Incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.
Ships are required to carry a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan.SOPEP
Operators of offshore units under the jurisdiction of Parties are also required to have oil pollution emergency plans or similar arrangements. OPEP
All of these must be co-ordinated with national systems for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution Incidents.
Ships are required to report Incidents of pollution to coastal authorities and the convention details the actions that are then to be taken.
The Convention calls for the establishment of stockpiles of oil spill combating equipment, the holding of oil spill combating exercises and the development of detailed plans for dealing with pollution Incidents. Parties to the convention are required to provide assistance to others in the event of a pollution emergency and provision is made for the reimbursement of any assistance provided.
The Convention provides for IMO to play an important co-ordinating role.
A Protocol to the OPRC relating to hazardous and Noxious substances (OPRC-HNS Protocol) was adopted in 2000.
INDIAN RESPONSE to OPRC :
• India ratified immediately after it was adopted in 1990.
• National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP), the Indian Coast Guard[12] is the national authority to
coordinate the response to oil spills in India’s maritime zones.
• There is also an ROSDCP i.e. , regional plan. 3 regions in India. West, east and Andaman islands. One
regional commander for each zone. Regional response centre. Well stocked inventory.
• India can handle upto Tier 2 oil pollution. Upto 10000 Tonnes.
• India has not ratified HNS convention but is capable of providing liability coverage.