THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON CIVIL LIABILITY FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE AND RECKLESSNESS Dissertation Zur Erlangung der Doktorwürde an der Fakultät für Rechtswissenschaft der Universität Hamburg vorgelegt von Nina Alexandra Gräfin von Borries aus Speyer Hamburg 10.August 2009 Erstgutachter: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Paschke Zweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. Lagoni Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 29.Oktober 2008 Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde unter dem Namen Nina Alexandra Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg bei der Fakultät für Rechtswissenschaft der Universität Hamburg als Dissertation eingereicht und von dieser angenommen Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 4 2.1 Before the 1969 Convention ........................................................................................................... 4 2.1.1 The “Torrey Canyon”....................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1.1 Factual aspect ................................................................................................................................ 6 2.1.1.2 Legal aspect.................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.1.2.1 Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................................. 8 2.1.1.2.2 English Law ................................................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1.2.2.1 Jurisdiction .............................................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1.2.2.2 Tort............................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1.1.2.2.2.1 Esso Petroleum Co Ltd -v- Southport Corporation.....................................................10 2.1.1.2.2.2.2 Trespass ..............................................................................................................................11 2.1.1.2.2.2.3 Private Nuisance ................................................................................................................12 2.1.1.2.2.2.4 Public Nuisance..................................................................................................................14 2.1.1.2.2.2.5 Rylands -v- Fletcher ..........................................................................................................14 2.1.1.2.2.2.6 Negligence...........................................................................................................................15 2.1.1.2.2.2.7 Unseaworthiness ...............................................................................................................16 2.1.1.2.2.3 Limitation of liability ..........................................................................................................16 2.1.1.2.3 French Law ................................................................................................................................17 2.1.1.2.3.1 Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................................17 2.1.1.2.3.2 Article 1382 of the Civil Code............................................................................................17 2.1.1.2.3.3 Article 216 of the Commercial Code of 1807.................................................................17 2.1.1.2.3.4 Article 1384, §1 of the Commercial Code .......................................................................18 2.1.1.2.3.5 Limitation of liability ...........................................................................................................18 2.1.2 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................18 2.2 The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution 1969................................22 2.2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................22 2.2.2 The provisions of the 1969 Convention ....................................................................................26 2.2.2.1 The definition of “ship”.............................................................................................................27 2.2.2.2 The definition of “oil” ................................................................................................................29 i 2.2.2.3 The definition of “pollution damage”.....................................................................................31 2.2.2.4 The definition of “preventive measures” ...............................................................................33 2.2.2.5 Article II........................................................................................................................................33 2.2.2.6 Article III.......................................................................................................................................35 2.2.2.6.1 Article III (1) ..............................................................................................................................35 2.2.2.6.1.1 Liability of the owner...........................................................................................................35 2.2.2.6.1.1.1 Proposals to place liability on cargo interests ............................................................35 2.2.2.6.1.1.2 Proposals to place liability on the operator.................................................................38 2.2.2.6.1.1.3 Proposals to place liability on both the owner and the charterer...........................40 2.2.2.6.1.1.4 Further proposals..............................................................................................................40 2.2.2.6.1.1.5 The decision .......................................................................................................................40 2.2.2.6.1.2 Strict liability .........................................................................................................................41 2.2.2.6.2 Article III (2) and (3) ................................................................................................................45 2.2.2.6.3 Article III (4) ..............................................................................................................................46 2.2.2.6.4 Article III (5) ..............................................................................................................................46 2.2.2.7 Article IV.......................................................................................................................................47 2.2.2.8 Article V........................................................................................................................................47 2.2.2.8.1 Article V (1) ...............................................................................................................................47 2.2.2.8.2 Article V (2) ...............................................................................................................................48 2.2.2.8.3 Article V (3) ...............................................................................................................................49 2.2.2.8.4 Article V (4), (5), (6) and (7)....................................................................................................50 2.2.2.8.5 Article V (8) ...............................................................................................................................50 2.2.2.8.6 Article V (11).............................................................................................................................51 2.2.2.9 Article VI.......................................................................................................................................51 2.2.2.10 Article VII......................................................................................................................................51 2.2.2.10.1 Article VII (1).............................................................................................................................51 2.2.2.10.2 Article VII (2)-(7), (9), (10) and (12).......................................................................................53 2.2.2.10.3 Article VII (8).............................................................................................................................53 2.2.2.10.4 Article VII (11) ..........................................................................................................................57 2.2.2.11 Article VIII ....................................................................................................................................59 2.2.2.12 Article IX.......................................................................................................................................59 2.2.2.12.1 Article IX (1) ..............................................................................................................................59 2.2.2.12.2 Article IX (2) ..............................................................................................................................60