ITOPF

About ITOPF

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) is the marine industry’s primary source of objective technical advice, expertise and information on effective response to ship-source pollution. ITOPF’s advice rests on a science-based appreciation of the fate and effects of pollutants in the marine environment and a practical evaluation of response options and claims for compensation. Since the 1970s, ITOPF has been providing services of emergency response to tanker owners (Members) and, from 1999, due to the growing awareness of pollution from non-tank vessels this service was formally extended to the owners of other types of ship who were eligible to become Associates of ITOPF. Since its establishment in 1968, ITOPF has responded to over 800 marine spills worldwide. This first-hand experience is in turns used during training assignments, the preparation of contingency plans, and contributions to policy discussions and legal texts through its Observer status at the IMO and IOPC Funds. More recently, the pollution potential of substances other than oil, primarily chemicals, and the development of corresponding international conventions, e.g. the HNS Convention, has led to an increase in demand for ITOPF expertise in these areas.

Status

Non-Governmental

Role and/or Services

Spill response: ITOPF is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to attend spills of oil, chemicals and other hazardous substances worldwide.

Claims Analysis & Damage Assessment: ITOPF gives advice on pollution damage caused by spills and assesses the technical merits of claims for compensation.

Training and education: ITOPF runs training courses and seminars worldwide where it shares its technical knowledge and first-hand experiences. Training is often undertaken alongside key governmental partners or industry bodies.

Contingency planning & advice: ITOPF regularly advises governments and industry on the preparation of contingency plans and other matters related to accidental pollution from ships. These activities are an opportunity to pass on messages of good practice outside the pressurized environment of a real incident.

Research and development: ITOPF supports research and development activities through its annual R&D Award and is a source of comprehensive information on marine pollution through its library, technical publications, statistics, films and website.

Resources

ITOPF’s London-based team of 35, includes 15 technical staff with a diverse set of skills. It encompasses several different nationalities and six languages (English, French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish).

Procedure

In the case of a spill of oil or HNS, please call on the numbers below for advice and/or mobilisation to site.

Conditions

ITOPF services are usually provided at no cost to Members (tanker owners), Associates (other shipowners) and their P&I insurers. ITOPF services may also be available to non-Members/-Associates on a fee-paying basis. The decision to provide services to non-Members/-Associates is at the discretion of ITOPF pending the availability of staff and the absence of potential conflict of interests in relation to the proposed activity.

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