Likumprojekts
Par 1990.gada Starptautisko konvenciju par gatavību, reaģēšanu un sadarbību naftas piesārņojuma gadījumā
1.pants. 1990.gada 30.novembra Londonas Starptautiskā konvencija par gatavību, reaģēšanu un sadarbību naftas piesārņojuma gadījumā (turpmāk Konvencija) ar šo likumu tiek pieņemta un apstiprināta.
2.pants. Likums stājas spēkā tā izsludināšanas dienā. Līdz ar likumu ir izsludināma Konvencija angļu valodā un tās tulkojums latviešu valodā.
3.pants. Konvencija stājas spēkā tās 16.pantā noteiktajā laikā un kārtībā, un Ārlietu ministrija par to paziņo laikrakstā "Latvijas Vēstnesis".
4.pants. Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija koordinē Konvencijā paredzēto saistību izpildi.
1990. GADA STARPTAUTISKĀ KONVENCIJA PAR GATAVĪBU, REAĢĒŠANU UN SADARBĪBU NAFTAS PIESĀRŅOJUMA GADĪJUMĀ
Šīs Konvencijas Dalībvalstis,
apzinoties nepieciešamību pasargāt apkārtējo dzīvo vidi kopumā un it īpaši jūras vidi,
atzīstot nopietnos draudus jūras videi, ko rada naftas piesārņojums no kuģiem, ofšora vienībām, jūras ostām un naftas pieņemšanas iekārtām,
rūpējoties par piesardzības un novēršanas pasākumu nozīmību, lai jau pirmsākumā izvairītos no naftas piesārņojuma, un nepieciešamību stingri piemērot spēkā esošos starptautiskos instrumentus, kas saistīti ar jūras kuģošanas drošību un jūras piesārņojuma novēršanu, īpaši 1974.gada Starptautisko konvenciju par cilvēka dzīvības aizsardzību uz jūras ar grozījumiem un 1973.gada Starptautisko konvenciju par piesārņojuma novēršanu no kuģiem, kas grozīta ar tās 1978.gada protokolu, un arī straujo naftas kuģu un ofšora vienību konstrukcijas, izmantošanas un ekspluatācijas paaugstināto standartu attīstību,
tāpat rūpējoties par to, ka naftas piesārņojuma gadījumā tūlītēja un efektīva rīcība ir būtiska, lai mazinātu zaudējumus, ko var izraisīt šāds negadījums,
pievēršot uzmanību tam, cik nozīmīgi ir efektīvi priekšdarbi naftas piesārņojuma negadījumu novēršanai un kāda nozīme ir naftas un kuģošanas industrijai šajā sakarā,
uzsverot tālāk savstarpējās palīdzības un starptautiskās sadarbības nozīmi, kas saistīta ar informācijas apmaiņas pasākumiem attiecībā uz valstu spēju reaģēt uz naftas piesārņojuma negadījumiem, gatavības plānu naftas piesārņojuma gadījumiem jūrā izstrādāšanu, ziņojumu par nozīmīgu negadījumu apmaiņu, kas var ietekmēt jūras vidi vai piekrasti un attiecīgās valsts intereses, un attiecīgo līdzekļu, kas paredzēti cīņai ar jūras vides naftas piesārņojumu, izpēti un pilnveidošanu.
ņemot vērā piesārņotājs maksā kā galveno starptautiskās vides aizsardzības tiesību principu,
ņemot vērā arī starptautisko normatīvo aktu par atbildību un kompensāciju par naftas piesārņojuma radītajiem zaudējumiem nozīmi, ieskaitot 1969.gada Starptautisko konvenciju par civilo atbildību par naftas piesārņojuma radītajiem zaudējumiem (CLC); un 1971.gada Starptautisko konvenciju par starptautiskā fonda nodibināšanu naftas piesārņojuma radīto zaudējumu kompensācijai (FUND); un nepārvaramo nepieciešamību attiecībā uz CLC un FUND konvenciju 1984.gada protokolu spēkā stāšanos,
ņemot vērā divpusējo un daudzpusējo līgumu un vienošanās noslēgšanas veicināšanas nozīmi, ieskaitot reģionālās konvencijas un vienošanās,
paturot prātā Apvienoto Nāciju Jūras tiesību konvencijas būtiskos nosacījumus, īpaši tās XII daļas nosacījumus,
zinot nepieciešamību veicināt starptautisko sadarbību un uzlabot pastāvošās nacionālās, reģionālās un vispasaules iespējas attiecībā uz naftas piesārņojumu, gatavību un reaģēšanu, ņemot vērā īpašās jaunattīstības un mazo salu valstu vajadzības,
uzskatot, ka šos mērķus vislabāk var sasniegt, noslēdzot Starptautisko konvenciju par gatavību, reaģēšanu un sadarbību naftas piesārņojuma gadījumā,
vienojas par sekojošo:
Šajā Konvencijā:
(b) Kuģis, uz kura ir jābūt naftas piesārņojuma avārijas plānam, saskaņā ar (a) apakšpunktu, ir pakļauts inspekcijai, kamēr tas atrodas Dalībvalsts jurisdikcijas ostā vai ofšora terminālā, ko veic pienācīgi pilnvarotas Dalībvalsts amatpersonas saskaņā ar praksi, ko paredz spēkā esošie starptautiskie līgumi vai tās nacionālā likumdošana.
kamēr tiek lemts kā rīkoties, lai reaģētu uz negadījumu, vai, kamēr šādas valstis vienojas kopīgai rīcībai.
Dalībvalstis cenšas noslēgt divpusējus un daudzpusējus līgumus par gatavību un reaģēšanu naftas piesārņojuma gadījumā. Šādu līgumu kopijas nosūta Organizācijai, kuras ir pieejamas pēc Dalībvalstu pieprasījuma.
Nekas šajā Konvencijā nav izskaidrojams tādējādi, lai grozītu jebkuras Dalībvalsts tiesības un pienākumus, ko tās pilda saskaņā ar citām konvencijām vai starptautiskajiem līgumiem.
(i) pēc pieprasījuma saņemt, salīdzināt un izplatīt informāciju, ko nosūtījušas Dalībvalstis (kā piemēru skatīt 5.panta (2) un (3) apakšpunktu, 6.panta (3) un (10) apakšpunktu un atbilstošo informāciju, kas iegūta no citiem avotiem; un
(ii) nodrošināt palīdzību izmaksu provizoriskā finansējuma avotu identificēšanā (kā piemēru skatīt 7.panta (2) apakšpunktu);
Dalībvalstis Organizācijas ietvaros novērtē Konvencijas efektivitāti, ņemot vērā tās mērķus, īpaši attiecībā uz sadarbības un palīdzības sniegšanas principiem.
(ii) Papildinājuma grozījums ir uzskatāms par akceptētu, noslēdzoties laika posmam, kuru noteikusi Jūras vides aizsardzības komiteja to pieņemšanas laikā, un kurš nevar būt mazāks par desmit mēnešiem, ja vien šajā laikā Ģenerālsekretārs nav saņēmis iebildumus vismaz no vienas trešdaļas Dalībvalstu.
(ii) Papildinājuma grozījums, kas ir akceptēts saskaņā ar (f) (ii) apakšpunktu, stājas spēkā pēc sešiem mēnešiem, skaitot no datuma, kurā tas ir uzskatāms par akceptētu attiecībā uz visām Dalībvalstīm, izņemot tās, kuras pirms šī datuma ir iebildušas pret to. Dalībvalsts jebkurā laikā var atsaukt iepriekš nosūtītos iebildumus, iesniedzot Ģenerālsekretāram ziņojumu šajā jautājumā.
Šī Konvencija ir atklāta parakstīšanai Organizācijas vadības mītnē no 1990.gada 30.novembra līdz 1991.gada 29. novembrim un pēc tam paliek atklāta, lai pievienotos. Jebkura valsts var kļūt par šīs Konvencijas Dalībvalsti:
17. pants. Denonsēšana
18. pants. Depozīts
19. pants. Valodas
Šī Konvencija sastādīta vienā eksemplārā angļu, arābu, franču, krievu, ķīniešu, un spāņu valodā, visi teksti ir vienlīdz autentiski.
To apliecinot, apakšā parakstījušies savu valdību pienācīgi pilnvaroti pārstāvji, parakstījuši šo Konvenciju.
Parakstīta Londonā tūkstoš deviņi simti deviņdesmitā gada trīsdesmitajā novembrī.
Pielikums. Sniegtās palīdzības izmaksu atlīdzināšana
(b)(a) apakšpunktā noteiktie principi ir piemērojami, ja vien ieinteresētās Dalībvalstis individuāli nav vienojušās savādāk.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON OIL POLLUTION PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND CO-OPERATION, 1990
The Parties to the present Convention
Conscious of the need to preserve the human environment in general and the marine environment in particular,
Recognizing the serious threat posed to the marine environment by oil pollution incidents involving ships, offshore units, sea ports and oil handling facilities,
Mindful of the importance of precautionary measures and prevention in avoiding oil pollution in the first instance, and the need for strict application of existing international instruments dealing with maritime safety and marine pollution prevention, particularly the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended, and also the speedy development of enhanced standards for the design, operation and maintenance of ships carrying oil, and of offshore units,
Mindful also that, in the event of an oil pollution incident, prompt and effective action is essential in order to minimize the damage which may result from such an incident,
Emphasizing the importance of effective preparation for combating oil pollution incidents and the important role which the oil and shipping industries have in this regard,
Recognizing further the importance of mutual assistance and international co-operation relating to matters including the exchange of information respecting the capabilities of States to respond to oil pollution incidents, the preparation of oil pollution contingency plans, the exchange of reports of incidents of significance which may affect the marine environment or the coastline and related interests of States, and research and development respecting means of combating oil pollution in the marine environment,
Taking account of the "polluter pays" principle as a general principle of international environmental law,
Taking account also of the importance of international instruments on liability and compensation for oil pollution damage, including the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC); and the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND); and the compelling need for early entry into force of the 1984 Protocols to the CLC and FUND Conventions,
Taking account further of the importance of bilateral and multilateral agreements and arrangements including regional conventions and agreements,
Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in particular of its part XII,
Being aware of the need to promote international co-operation and to enhance existing national, regional and global capabilities concerning oil pollution and preparedness and response, taking into account the special needs of the developing countries and particularly small island States,
Considering that these objectives may best be achieved by the conclusion of an International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1. General provisions
(1) Parties undertake, individually or jointly, to take all appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and the Annex thereto to prepare for and respond to an oil pollution incident.
(2) The Annex to this Convention shall constitute an integral part of the Convention and a reference to this Convention constitutes at the same time 'a reference to the Annex.
(3) This Convention shall not apply to any warship, naval auxiliary or other ship owned or operated by a State and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service. However, each Party shall ensure by the adoption of appropriate measures not impairing the operations or operational capabilities of such ships owned or operated by it, that such ships act in a manner consistent, so far as is reasonable and practicable, with this Convention.
Article 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Convention:
(1) "Oil" means petroleum in any form including crude oil, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and refined products.
(2) "Oil pollution incident" means an occurrence or series of occurrences having the same origin, which results or may result in a discharge of oil and which poses or may pose a threat to the marine environment, or to the coastline or related interests of one or more States, and which requires emergency action or other immediate response.
(3) "Ship" means a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the marine environment and includes hydrofoil boats, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, and floating craft of any type.
(4) "Offshore unit" means any fixed or floating offshore installation or structure engaged in gas or oil exploration, exploitation or production activities, or loading or unloading of oil.
(5) "Sea ports and oil handling facilities" means those facilities which present a risk of an oil pollution incident and includes, inter alia, sea ports, oil terminals, pipelines and other oil handling facilities.
(6) "Organization" means the International Maritime Organization.
(7) "Secretary-General" means the Secretary-General of the Organization.
Article 3. Oil pollution emergency plans
(b) A ship required to have on board an oil pollution emergency plan in accordance with subparagraph (a) is subject, while in a port or at an offshore terminal under the jurisdiction of a Party, to inspection by officers duly authorized by that Party, in accordance with the practices provided for in existing international agreements or its national legislation.
(2) Each Party shall require that operators of offshore units under its jurisdiction have oil pollution emergency plans, which are co-ordinated with the national system established in accordance with article 6 and approved in accordance with procedures established by the competent national authority.
(3) Each Party shall require that authorities or operators in charge of such sea ports and oil handling facilities under its jurisdiction as it deems appropriate have oil pollution emergency plans or similar arrangements which are co-ordinated with the national system established in accordance with article 6 and approved in accordance with procedures established by the competent national authority.
Article 4. Oil pollution reporting procedures
(1) Each Party shall:
(a) require masters or other persons having charge of ships flying its flag and persons having charge of offshore units under its jurisdiction to report without delay any event on their ship or offshore unit involving a discharge or probable discharge of oil:
(i) in the case of a ship, to the nearest coastal State;
(ii) in the case of an offshore unit, to the coastal State to whose jurisdiction the unit is subject;
(b) require masters or other persons having charge of ships flying its flag and persons having charge of offshore units under its jurisdiction to report without delay any observed event at sea involving a discharge of oil or the presence of oil:
(i) in the case of a ship, to the nearest coastal State;
(ii) in the case of an offshore unit, to the coastal State to whose jurisdiction the unit is subject;
(c) require persons having charge of sea ports and oil handling facilities under its jurisdiction to report without delay any event involving a discharge or probable discharge of oil or the presence of oil to the competent national authority;
(d) instruct its maritime inspection vessels or aircraft and other appropriate services or officials to report without delay any observed event at sea or at a sea port or oil handling facility involving a discharge of oil or the presence of oil to the competent national authority or, as the case may be, to the nearest coastal State;
(e) request the pilots of civil aircraft to report without delay any observed event at sea involving a discharge of oil or the presence of oil to the nearest coastal State.
(2) Reports under paragraph (1)(a)(i) shall be made in accordance with the requirements developed by the Organization and based on the guidelines and general principles adopted by the Organization. Reports under paragraph (1)(a)(ii), (b), (c) and (d) shall be made in accordance with the guidelines and general principles adopted by the Organization to the extent applicable.
Article 5. Action on receiving an oil pollution report
(1) Whenever a Party receives a report referred to in article 4 or pollution information provided by other sources, it shall:
(a) assess the event to determine whether it is an oil pollution incident;
(b) assess the nature, extent and possible consequences of the oil pollution incident; and
(c) then, without delay, inform all States whose interests are affected or likely to be affected by such oil pollution incident, together with
(i) details of its assessments and any action it has taken, or intends to take, to deal with the incident, and
(ii) further information as appropriate,
until the action taken to respond to the incident has been concluded or until joint action has been decided by such States.
(2) When the severity of such oil pollution incident so justifies, the Party should provide the Organization directly or, as appropriate, through the relevant regional organization or arrangements with the information referred to in paragraph (1)(b) and (c).
(3) When the severity of such oil pollution incident so justifies, other States affected by it are urged to inform the Organization directly or, as appropriate, through the relevant regional organizations or arrangements of their assessment of the extent of the threat to their interests and any action taken or intended.
(4) Parties should use, in so far as practicable, the oil pollution reporting system developed by the Organization when exchanging information and communicating with other States and with the Organization.
Article 6. National and regional systems for preparedness and response
(1) Each Party shall establish a national system for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution incidents. This system shall include as a minimum:
(a) the designation of
(i) the competent national authority or authorities with responsibility for oil pollution preparedness and response;
(ii) the national operational contact point or points, which shall be responsible for the receipt and transmission of oil pollution reports as referred to in article 4; and
(iii) an authority which is entitled to act on behalf of the State to request assistance or to decide to render the assistance requested;
(b) a national contingency plan for preparedness and response which includes the organizational relationship of the various bodies involved, whether public or private, taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization.
(2) In addition, each Party, within its capabilities either individually or through bilateral or multilateral co-operation and, as appropriate, in co-operation with the oil and shipping industries, port authorities and other relevant entities, shall establish:
(a) a minimum level of pre-positioned oil spill combating equipment, commensurate with the risk involved, and programmes for its use;
(b) a programme of exercises for oil pollution response organizations and training of relevant personnel;
(c) detailed plans and communication capabilities for responding to an oil pollution incident. Such capabilities should be continuously available; and
(d) a mechanism or arrangement to co-ordinate the response to an oil pollution incident with, if appropriate, the capabilities to mobilize the necessary resources.
(3) Each Party shall ensure that current information is provided to the Organization, directly or through the relevant regional organization or arrangements, concerning:
(a) the location, telecommunication data and, if applicable, areas of responsibility of authorities and entities referred to in paragraph (1)(a);
(b) information concerning pollution response equipment and expertise in disciplines related to oil pollution response and marine salvage which may be made available to other States; upon request; and
(c) its national contingency plan.
Article 7. International co-operation in pollution response
(1) Parties agree that, subject to their capabilities and the availability of relevant resources, they will co-operate and provide advisory services, technical support and equipment for the purpose of responding to an oil pollution incident, when the severity of such incident so justifies, upon the request of any Party affected or likely to be affected. The financing of the costs for such assistance shall be based on the provisions set out in the Annex to this Convention.
(2) A Party which has requested assistance may ask the Organization to assist in identifying sources of provisional financing of the costs referred to in paragraph (1).
(3) In accordance with applicable international agreements, each Party shall take necessary legal or administrative measures to facilitate:
(a) the arrival and utilization in and departure from its territory of ships, aircraft and other modes of transport engaged in responding to an oil pollution incident or transporting. personnel, cargoes, materials and equipment required to deal with such an incident; and
(b) the expeditious movement into, through, and out of its territory of personnel, cargoes, materials and equipment referred to in subparagraph (a).
Article 8. Research and development
(1) Parties agree to co-operate directly or, as appropriate, through the Organization or relevant regional organizations or arrangements in the promotion and exchange of results of research and development programmes relating to the enhancement of the state-of-the-art of oil pollution preparedness and response, including technologies and techniques for surveillance, containment, recovery, dispersion, clean-up and otherwise minimizing or mitigating the effects of oil pollution, and for restoration.
(2) To this end, Parties undertake to establish directly or, as appropriate, through the Organization or relevant regional organizations or arrangements, the necessary links between Parties' research institutions.
(3) Parties agree to co-operate directly or through the Organization or relevant regional organizations or arrangements to promote, as appropriate, the holding on a regular basis of international symposia on relevant subjects, including technological advances in oil pollution combating techniques and equipment.
(4) Parties agree to encourage, through the Organization or other competent international organizations, the development of standards for compatible oil pollution combating techniques and equipment.
Article 9. Technical co-operation
(1) Parties undertake directly or through the Organization and other international bodies, as appropriate, in respect of oil pollution preparedness and response, to provide support for those Parties which request technical assistance:
(a) to train personnel;
(b) to ensure the availability of relevant technology, equipment and facilities;
(c) to facilitate other measures and arrangements to prepare for and respond to oil pollution incidents; and
(d) to initiate joint research and development programmes.
Article 10. Promotion of bilateral and multilateral co-operation in preparedness and response
Parties shall endeavour to conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements for oil pollution preparedness and response. Copies of such agreements shall be communicated to the Organization which should make them available on request to Parties.
Article 11. Relation to other conventions and international agreements
Nothing in this Convention shall be construed as altering the rights or obligations of any Party under any other convention or international agreement.
Article 12. Institutional arrangements
(1) Parties designate the Organization, subject to its agreements and the availability of adequate resources to sustain the activity, to perform the following functions and activities:
(a) information services:
(i) to receive, collate and disseminate on request the information provided by Parties (see, for example, articles 5(2) and (3), 6(3) and 10) and relevant information provided by other sources; and
(ii) to provide assistance in identifying sources of provisional financing of costs (see, for example, article 7(2));
(b) education and training:
(i) to promote training in the field of oil pollution preparedness and response (see, for example, article 9); and
(ii) to promote the holding of international symposia (see, for example, article 8(3));
(c) technical services:
(i) to facilitate co-operation in research and development (see, for example, articles 8(1), (2) and (4) and 9(1)(d));
(ii) to provide advice to States establishing national or regional response capabilities; and
(iii) to analyse the information provided by Parties (see, for example, articles 5(2) and (3), 6(3) and 8(1)) and relevant information provided by other sources and provide advice or information to States;
(d) technical assistance:
(i) to facilitate the provision of technical assistance to States establishing national or regional response capabilities; and
(ii) to facilitate the provision of technical assistance and advice, upon the request of States faced with major oil pollution incidents.
(2) In carrying out the activities specified in this article, the Organization shall endeavour to strengthen the ability of States individually or through regional arrangements to prepare for and combat oil pollution incidents, drawing upon the experience of States, regional agreements and industry arrangements and paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries.
(3) The provisions of this article shall be implemented in accordance with a programme developed and kept under review by the Organization.
Article 13. Evaluation of the Convention
Parties shall evaluate within the Organization the effectiveness of the Convention in the light of its objectives, particularly with respect to the principles underlying co-operation and assistance.
Article 14. Amendments
(1) This Convention may be amended by one of the procedures specified in the following paragraphs.
(2) Amendment after consideration by the Organization:
(a) Any amendment proposed by a Party to the Convention shall be submitted to the Organization and circulated by the Secretary-General to all Members of the Organization and all Parties at least six months prior to its consideration.
(b) Any amendment proposed and circulated as above shall be submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the Organization for consideration.
(c) Parties to the Convention, whether or not Members of the Organization, shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings of the Marine Environment Protection Committee.
(d) Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of only the Parties to the Convention present and voting.
(e) If adopted in accordance with subparagraph (d), amendments shall be communicated by the Secretary-General to all Parties to the Convention for acceptance.
(i) An amendment to an article or the Annex of the Convention shall be deemed to have been accepted on the date on which it is accepted by two-thirds of the Parties.
(ii) An amendment to an appendix shall be deemed to have been accepted at the end of a period to be determined by the Marine Environment Protection Committee at the time of its adoption, which period shall not be less than ten months, unless within that period an objection is communicated to the Secretary-General by not less than one-third of the Parties.
(g) (i) An amendment to an article or the Annex of the Convention accepted in conformity with subparagraph (f)(i) shall enter into force six months after the date on which it is deemed to have been accepted with respect to the Parties which have notified the Secretary-General that they have accepted it.
(ii) An amendment to an appendix accepted in conformity with subparagraph (f)(ii) shall enter into force six months after the date on which it is deemed to have been accepted with respect to all Parties with the exception of those which, before that date, have objected to it. A Party may at any time withdraw a previously communicated objection by submitting a notification to that effect to the Secretary-General.
(3) Amendment by a Conference:
(a) Upon the request of a Party, concurred with by at least one-third of the Parties, the Secretary-General shall convene a Conference of Parties to the Convention to consider amendments to the Convention.
(b) An amendment adopted by such a Conference by a two-thirds majority of those Parties present and voting shall be communicated by the Secretary-General to all Parties for their acceptance.
(c) Unless the Conference decides otherwise, the amendment shall be deemed to have been accepted and shall enter into force in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (2)(f) and (g).
(4) The adoption and entry into force of an amendment constituting an addition of an Annex or an appendix shall be subject to the procedure applicable to an amendment to the Annex.
(5) Any Party which has not accepted an amendment to an article or the Annex under paragraph (2)(f)(i) or an amendment constituting an addition of an Annex or an appendix under paragraph (4) or has communicated an objection to an amendment to an appendix under paragraph (2)(f)(ii) shall be treated as a non-Party only for the purpose of the application of such amendment. Such treatment shall terminate upon the submission of a notification of acceptance under paragraph (2)(f)(i) or withdrawal of the objection under paragraph (2)(g)(ii).
(6) The Secretary-General shall inform all Parties of any amendment which enters into force under this article, together with the date on which the amendment enters into force.
(7) Any notification of acceptance of, objection to, or withdrawal of objection to, an amendment under this article shall be communicated in writing to the Secretary-General who shall inform Parties of such notification and the date of its receipt.
(8) An appendix to the Convention shall contain only provisions of a technical nature.
Article 15. Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession
(1) This Convention shall remain open for signature at the Headquarters of the Organization from 30 November 1990 until 29 November 1991 and shall thereafter remain open for accession. Any State may become Party to this Convention by:
(a) signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval; or
(b) signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval; or
(c) accession.
(2) Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument to that effect with the Secretary-General.
Article 16. Entry into force
(1) This Convention shall enter into force twelve months after the date on which not less than fifteen States have either signed it without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval or have deposited the requisite instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in accordance with article 15.
(2) For States which have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in respect of this Convention after the requirements for entry into force thereof have been met but prior to the date of entry into force, the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall take effect on the date of entry into force of this Convention or three months after the date of deposit of the instrument, whichever is the later date.
(3) For States which have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession after the date on which this Convention entered into force, this Convention shall become effective three months after the date of deposit of the instrument.
(4) After the date on which an amendment to this Convention is deemed to have been accepted under article 14, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited shall apply to this Convention as amended.
Article 17. Denunciation
(1) This Convention may be denounced by any Party at any time after the expiry of five years from the date on which this Convention enters into force for that Party.
(2) Denunciation shall be effected by notification in writing to the Secretary-General.
(3) A denunciation shall take effect twelve months after receipt of the notification of denunciation by the Secretary-General or after the expiry of any longer period which may be indicated in the notification.
Article 18. Depositary
(2) The Secretary-General shall:
(a) inform all States which have signed this Convention or acceded thereto of:
(i) each new signature or deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, together with the date thereof
(ii) the date of entry into force of this Convention; and
(iii) the deposit of any instrument of denunciation of this Convention together with the date on which it was received and the date on which the denunciation takes effect;
(b) transmit certified true copies of this Convention to the Governments of all States which have signed this Convention or acceded thereto.
(3) As soon as this Convention enters into force, a certified true copy thereof shall be transmitted by the depositary to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for registration and publication in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.
Article 19. Languages
This Convention is established in a single original in the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, each text being equally authentic.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments for that purpose, have signed this Convention.
Done at London this thirtieth day of November one thousand nine hundred and ninety.
Annex. Reimbursement of costs of assistance
(1) (a) Unless an agreement concerning the financial arrangements governing actions of Parties to deal with oil pollution incidents has been concluded on a bilateral or multilateral basis prior to the oil pollution incident, Parties shall bear the costs of their respective actions in dealing with pollution in accordance with subparagraph (i) or subparagraph (ii).
(i) If the action was taken by one Party at the express request of another Party, the requesting Party shall reimburse to the assisting Party the cost of its action. The requesting Party may cancel its request at any time, but in that case it shall bear the costs already incurred or committed by the assisting Party.
(ii) If the action was taken by a Party on its own initiative, this Party shall bear the costs of its action.
(b) The principles laid down in subparagraph (a) shall apply unless the Parties concerned otherwise agree in any individual case.
(2) Unless otherwise agreed, the costs of action taken by a Party at the request of another Party shall be fairly calculated according to the law and current practice of the assisting Party concerning the reimbursement of such costs.