Pollution

A marine pollution incident is one of the most serious events a vessel can face, carrying immense environmental and financial risks. The Hebei Spirit oil spill in 2008 in Korea serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of a swift and professional response. As your first line of defense, we are dedicated to mitigating the spread of pollution, managing complex regulatory and legal issues, and protecting your reputation.

Our Roles as Correspondent

When a pollution incident occurs, the P&I Club and its local correspondent must act immediately.

• Prompt Mobilization of Surveyor: We immediately appoint a competent surveyor out of our own source (around 20 survey companies) to attend the scene and assess the type of pollution, its spread, and potential damage. We serve as the “eyes and ears on the ground” by managing/controling the surveyor’s work and providing real-time updates to the P&I Club.
• Governmental Coordination: We coordinate with all relevant government authorities, including the Coast Guard, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and local governments, to ensure a smooth and efficient response process.
• International Expert Collaboration: We coordinate immediately with international expert groups such as the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) to get technical advice and coordinate effective clean-up measures.
• Compliance with International Conventions: Korea is a signatory to the 1992 Fund Convention, the Supplementary Fund Protocol and the Bunker Convention. We work closely with the P&I Club to provide accurate information on liability and compensation limits under these international conventions and assist with all necessary procedures.

Our Pollution Response Process

The systematic response learned from incidents like the Hebei Spirit oil spill minimizes long-term risks.

1. Emergency Notification & Initial Response: As soon as we are notified, we check the exact situation with the master and/or crew of the vessel in order to prepare for the next proper steps to initiate emergency measures to contain the pollution.
2. On-Site Assessment & Evidence Gathering: We manage the surveyor to assess the extent of the pollution damage and secure evidence (photos, samples, witness statements) to determine the cause and scope of the loss.
3. Preliminary Reporting: Based on the surveyor’s findings, we provide a swift preliminary report to the P&I Club, outlining the severity of the spill, estimated costs, and potential legal issues.
4. Expert Coordination: As directed by the P&I Club, we coordinate with specialized clean-up contractors and technical experts like ITOPF to manage salvage and removal operations.
5. Settlement Support & Final Reporting: We assist with the settlement of all pollution-related costs (clean-up expenses, compensation claims) and provide a final comprehensive report to conclude the case.

Expertise by Pollution Type

Our expertise extends to a variety of pollution incidents.

• Oil Spills: Professional oversight of the response to spills involving crude oil, bunker fuel, and other petroleum products.
• Chemical Spills: Management of the risk assessment and response coordination for spills of hazardous substances.
• Garbage & Other Waste: Handling of incidents involving illegal dumping of waste from vessels and violations of environmental regulations.

Call to Action

When an environmental incident occurs, every decision matters. Trust our expertise and local network to provide an immediate response that protects your reputation and assets.