Review article

International convention on the removal of wrecks

Vesna Skorupan Wolff orcid.org/0000-0002-1591-7247 ; Jadranski zavod HAZU, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ranka Petrinović ; Pomorski fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska

Abstract

The International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks has been adopted on 18 May 2007. The Convention will fill a gap in the existing international legal framework by providing the first set of uniform international rules aimed at ensuring the prompt and effective removal of wrecks located beyond the territorial sea.
The provosions of the Convention include measures which should facilitate the removal of wrecks, as well as rights and obligations regarding the reporting of wrecks, determination of hazard, locating and marking of wrecks. The registered owner shall be liable for the costs of locating, marking and removing wrecks which pose a hazard to the safety of navigation or to the marine and coastal environments, or both. The new Convention will make shipowners financially liable and require them to take out insurance or provide other financial security to cover the costs of wreck removal. It will also provide States with a right of direct action against insurers.
This paper analyses the provisions of the Convention and also deals with the context in which the Convention has been developed.
By establishing a firm jurisdictional basis for dealing with hazardous wrecks the Convention will be a welcome addition to the IMO instruments, all aiming at improving the safety of navigation, security in maritime operations and the protection of the marine environment.

Keywords

wrecks; International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (Nairobi, 2007); exclusive economic zone

Hrčak ID:

26236

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/26236

Publication date:

19.8.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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