International:


International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, London, 1954 (as amended)

Objectives:

To take action to prevent pollution of the sea by oil discharged from ships.

Summary of Provisions:

• Applies to all ships, except tankers of under 150 tons gross tonnage and other ships of under 500 tons gross tonnage, registered in the territory of, or having the nationality of, a Party. Naval ships and ships engaged in whaling are also excepted.
  
• Prohibition of discharges, except when a ship is proceeding en route or when the instantaneous rate of discharge does not exceed 60 litres per mile.
  
• Exceptions in cases of necessity to secure safety of ships, save life or prevent damage to cargo, or where leakage is unavoidable and all measures have been taken to minimize it.
  
• Ships to be fitted within 12 months to prevent escape of oil into the bilges Parties to provide appropriate facilities at ports and oil-loading terminals- All ships covered by the Convention to carry an oil record book, to be completed whenever certain operations take place.
  
• Parties to send texts of laws, decrees, orders and regulations giving effect to Convention to the United Nations.

Date of Adoption:
12.5.1954 (London)

Date of entry into force:
26.7.1958

Arab Participants:
Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, UAE, Yemen