Monday, 22nd October 2012
This Circular informs members of recent amendments to the Australian oil pollution legislation which extended criminal liability imposed on owners and masters for oil discharge or threat of discharge to charterers. Charterers, owners and masters are now severally liable with offences punishable by fines. In order to address concerns raised by owners and charterers, an IG recommended clause for inclusion in charterparties has been drafted. The circular recommends members to use this new clause in their charterparties.