Cyprus to accept wreck removal certificates issued under the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks of 2007
Mar 13, 2015
The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, adopted in Nairobi on 18 May 2007 (the “Convention”), will enter into force on 14 April 2015, a year after having achieved the requisite number of countries that have ratified the Convention.
The Convention provides the legal basis for States to remove, or have removed, shipwrecks that may have the potential to affect adversely the safety of lives, goods and property at sea, as well as the marine environment. Under the Convention a set of uniform international rules aimed at ensuring the prompt and effective removal of wrecks will come into force internationally, placing financial responsibility for the removal of certain hazardous wrecks on shipowners, thus making insurance compulsory.
Cyprus is yet to ratify the Convention with the matter currently pending for voting in parliament. As a result, the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS) will not be issuing the necessary wreck removal certificates (WRC). While there has not been any official announcement by the DMS, in order to avoid any disruption in the operation and insurance cover of ships flying the Cyprus flag, the DMS has indicated that it in the interim period it will accept WRCs issued by countries that have already ratified the Convention. When Cyprus ratifies the Convention it is understood that there will not be any requirement for these certificates to be re-issued, except in cases where the circumstances would require the issue of a new certificate, such as in the event of a change of ownership or in case of renewals where a new WRC is required by the P&I Club.
The Convention provides the legal basis for States to remove, or have removed, shipwrecks that may have the potential to affect adversely the safety of lives, goods and property at sea, as well as the marine environment. Under the Convention a set of uniform international rules aimed at ensuring the prompt and effective removal of wrecks will come into force internationally, placing financial responsibility for the removal of certain hazardous wrecks on shipowners, thus making insurance compulsory.
Cyprus is yet to ratify the Convention with the matter currently pending for voting in parliament. As a result, the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS) will not be issuing the necessary wreck removal certificates (WRC). While there has not been any official announcement by the DMS, in order to avoid any disruption in the operation and insurance cover of ships flying the Cyprus flag, the DMS has indicated that it in the interim period it will accept WRCs issued by countries that have already ratified the Convention. When Cyprus ratifies the Convention it is understood that there will not be any requirement for these certificates to be re-issued, except in cases where the circumstances would require the issue of a new certificate, such as in the event of a change of ownership or in case of renewals where a new WRC is required by the P&I Club.
