The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its 95th session in London, UK, from 30 March-3 April 2009, and approved a draft Protocol to the 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea.

The draft Protocol is designed to address practical problems that have prevented many States from ratifying the original Convention. The Convention seeks to establish a two-tier system for compensation to be paid in the event of accidents at sea, in this case involving hazardous and noxious substances, such as chemicals. One of the main obstacles that has discouraged ratification of the Convention is the requirement for States to report the quantities of Hazardous and Noxious Substances received to IMO, considering the range and diversity of hazardous and noxious substances that will be governed by the Convention. The IMO Legal Committee has requested the IMO Council, which meets in June 2009, to approve the holding of a diplomatic conference as early as possible during 2010 to consider the draft Protocol, with a view to formally adopting it.
Link to further information
IMO press release, 9 April 2009