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Kazakhstan strengthens measures to protect Caspian sea environment

Oil&Gas Materials 20 November 2017 15:37 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 20

By Nigar Guliyeva – Trend:

Kazakhstan has begun work on expanding the legal and regulatory framework for the protection of the marine environment.

The Transport Committee of the Investment and Development Ministry of Kazakhstan plans to ratify the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage of 2001 and the Protocol of 1992 on the Amendment of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969.

More than 300 vessels operate in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea under the flag of Kazakhstan. Twelve vessels are involved in international transportation, others support operations in the development of oil fields. In addition, dozens of vessels from other Caspian states come to Kazakhstan's ports daily, the Committee said.

Legislation currently provides for the liability of the shipowner only for damage from the transshipped oil. Ratification of the Convention will establish the responsibility of the shipowner in case of pollution of the sea with bunker oil. In addition, there will be a requirement for compulsory insurance of pollution risk and a compensation mechanism for persons who have suffered damage from spillage of bunker fuel.

Ratification of the Protocol will allow to update the liability regime of the shipowner for damage from the transshipped oil. A similar regime operates in 133 states. It is also planned to increase the amount of liability insurance for the shipowner from $20 million to $126 million; the amount of compensation for damage from oil pollution will be differentiated depending on the ship's displacement; the scope of civil liability will be extended to the exclusive economic zone.

In parallel with the ratification of these documents, the Committee is working on amending the national legislation on transport issues.

In 2017, measures to protect ships and port infrastructure from terrorist threats were strengthened. Thus, there are requirements for the necessity of regular assessment of port security. In addition, in every port and on every ship it is now necessary to have a special plan for prompt response in the event of an attack.

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