Shipping Lawyer Environmental Regulations in Shipping

Question 1

Which international convention primarily governs the prevention of pollution from ships?

Accepted Answer

MARPOL 73/78

Answer

MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is the main international treaty addressing vessel-source pollution including oil, chemicals, sewage, and garbage.

Question 2

Under US law, which statute imposes strict liability on shipowners for oil spills into US waters?

Accepted Answer

Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90)

Answer

OPA 90, enacted after the Exxon Valdez spill, imposes strict liability on responsible parties for oil removal costs and damages resulting from discharges into US navigable waters.

Question 3

What is the US liability limit for a single-hull tank vessel under OPA 90?

Accepted Answer

$3,000 per gross ton or $22 million, whichever is greater (for vessels over 3,000 gross tons)

Answer

OPA 90 sets liability limits based on vessel type and gross tonnage, with limits periodically adjusted by regulation; tank vessels face higher limits than non-tank vessels.

Question 4

What must a vessel owner maintain under OPA 90 to evidence financial responsibility for oil spills?

Accepted Answer

A Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR)

Answer

Vessels operating in US waters must obtain a COFR from the US Coast Guard evidencing that the owner has the financial resources to pay OPA 90 liability limits.

Question 5

What is an Emission Control Area (ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI?

Accepted Answer

A designated sea area where stricter limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ships apply

Answer

ECAs are special sea areas established under MARPOL Annex VI where stricter standards for SOx, NOx, and particulate matter emissions from ship exhausts apply.

Shipping Lawyer Practice Test

Shipping Lawyer Practice Test

Shipping Lawyer Environmental Regulations in Shipping