Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam

Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Mednarodne konvencije o odgovornosti in nadomestilu škode v zvezi s prevozom nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju, 1996 (MKONŠ), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 20. maja 2004.

Ljubljana, 28. maj 2004

Ratificira se Mednarodna konvencija o odgovornosti in nadomestilu škode v zvezi s prevozom nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju, sklenjena 3. maja 1996 v Londonu.

Besedilo konvencije se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi:

THE STATES PARTIES TO THE PRESENT CONVENTION,
CONSCIOUS of the dangers posed by the world-wide carriage by sea of hazardous and noxious substances,
CONVINCED of the need to ensure that adequate, prompt and effective compensation is available to persons who suffer damage caused by incidents in connection with the carriage by sea of such substances,
DESIRING to adopt uniform international rules and procedures for determining questions of liability and compensation in respect of such damage,
CONSIDERING that the economic consequences of damage caused by the carriage by sea of hazardous and noxious substances should be shared by the shipping industry and the cargo interests involved,
HAVE AGREED as follows:

For the purposes of this Convention:
1 "Ship" means any seagoing vessel and seaborne craft, of any type whatsoever.
2 "Person" means any individual or partnership or any public or private body, whether corporate or not, including a State or any of its constituent subdivisions.
3 "Owner" means the person or persons registered as the owner of the ship or, in the absence of registration, the person or persons owning the ship. However, in the case of a ship owned by a State and operated by a company which in that State is registered as the ship's operator, "owner" shall mean such company.
4 "Receiver" means either:
(a) the person who physically receives contributing cargo discharged in the ports and terminals of a State Party; provided that if at the time of receipt the person who physically receives the cargo acts as an agent for another who is subject to the jurisdiction of any State Party, then the principal shall be deemed to be the receiver, if the agent discloses the principal to the HNS Fund; or
(b) the person in the State Party who in accordance with the national law of that State Party is deemed to be the receiver of contributing cargo discharged in the ports and terminals of a State Party, provided that the total contributing cargo received according to such national law is substantially the same as that which would have been received under (a).
5 "Hazardous and noxious substances" (HNS) means:
(a) any substances, materials and articles carried on board a ship as cargo, referred to in (i) to (vii) below:
(i) oils carried in bulk listed in appendix I of Annex I to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended;
(ii) noxious liquid substances carried in bulk referred to in appendix II of Annex II to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended, and those substances and mixtures provisionally categorized as falling in pollution category A, B, C or D in accordance with regulation 3(4) of the said Annex II;
(iii) dangerous liquid substances carried in bulk listed in chapter 17 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, 1983, as amended, and the dangerous products for which the preliminary suitable conditions for the carriage have been prescribed by the Administration and port administrations involved in accordance with paragraph 1.1.3 of the Code;
(iv) dangerous, hazardous and harmful substances, materials and articles in packaged form covered by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, as amended;
(v) liquefied gases as listed in chapter 19 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, 1983, as amended, and the products for which preliminary suitable conditions for the carriage have been prescribed by the Administration and port administrations involved in accordance with paragraph 1.1.6 of the Code;
(vi) liquid substances carried in bulk with a flashpoint not exceeding 60 °C (measured by a closed cup test);
(vii) solid bulk materials possessing chemical hazards covered by appendix B of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes, as amended, to the extent that these substances are also subject to the provisions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code when carried in packaged form; and
(b) residues from the previous carriage in bulk of substances referred to in (a)(i) to (iii) and (v) to (vii) above.
6 "Damage" means:
(a) loss of life or personal injury on board or outside the ship carrying the hazardous and noxious substances caused by those substances;
(b) loss of or damage to property outside the ship carrying the hazardous and noxious substances caused by those substances;
(c) loss or damage by contamination of the environment caused by the hazardous and noxious substances, provided that compensation for impairment of the environment other than loss of profit from such impairment shall be limited to costs of reasonable measures of reinstatement actually undertaken or to be undertaken; and
(d) the costs of preventive measures and further loss or damage caused by preventive measures.
Where it is not reasonably possible to separate damage caused by the hazardous and noxious substances from that caused by other factors, all such damage shall be deemed to be caused by the hazardous and noxious substances except if, and to the extent that, the damage caused by other factors is damage of a type referred to in article 4, paragraph 3.
In this paragraph, "caused by those substances" means caused by the hazardous or noxious nature of the substances.
7 "Preventive measures" means any reasonable measures taken by any person after an incident has occurred to prevent or minimize damage.
8 "Incident" means any occurrence or series of occurrences having the same origin, which causes damage or creates a grave and imminent threat of causing damage.
9 "Carriage by sea" means the period from the time when the hazardous and noxious substances enter any part of the ship's equipment, on loading, to the time they cease to be present in any part of the ship's equipment, on discharge. If no ship's equipment is used, the period begins and ends respectively when the hazardous and noxious substances cross the ship's rail.
10 "Contributing cargo" means any hazardous and noxious substances which are carried by sea as cargo to a port or terminal in the territory of a State Party and discharged in that State. Cargo in transit which is transferred directly, or through a port or terminal, from one ship to another, either wholly or in part, in the course of carriage from the port or terminal of original loading to the port or terminal of final destination shall be considered as contributing cargo only in respect of receipt at the final destination.
11 The "HNS Fund" means the International Hazardous and Noxious Substances Fund established under article 13.
12 "Unit of account" means the Special Drawing Right as defined by the International Monetary Fund.
13 "State of the ship's registry" means in relation to a registered ship the State of registration of the ship, and in relation to an unregistered ship the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.
14 "Terminal" means any site for the storage of hazardous and noxious substances received from waterborne transportation, including any facility situated off-shore and linked by pipeline or otherwise to such site.
15 "Director" means the Director of the HNS Fund.
16 "Organization" means the International Maritime Organization.
17 "Secretary-General" means the Secretary-General of the Organization.

The Annexes to this Convention shall constitute an integral part of this Convention.

This Convention shall apply exclusively:
(a) to any damage caused in the territory, including the territorial sea, of a State Party;
(b) to damage by contamination of the environment caused in the exclusive economic zone of a State Party, established in accordance with international law, or, if a State Party has not established such a zone, in an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea of that State determined by that State in accordance with international law and extending not more than 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of its territorial sea is measured;
(c) to damage, other than damage by contamination of the environment, caused outside the territory, including the territorial sea, of any State, if this damage has been caused by a substance carried on board a ship registered in a State Party or, in the case of an unregistered ship, on board a ship entitled to fly the flag of a State Party; and
(d) to preventive measures, wherever taken.

1 This Convention shall apply to claims, other than claims arising out of any contract for the carriage of goods and passengers, for damage arising from the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea.
2 This Convention shall not apply to the extent that its provisions are incompatible with those of the applicable law relating to workers' compensation or social security schemes.
3 This Convention shall not apply:
(a) to pollution damage as defined in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended, whether or not compensation is payable in respect of it under that Convention; and
(b) to damage caused by a radioactive material of class 7 either in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, as amended, or in appendix B of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes, as amended.

1 A State may, at the time of ratification, acceptance, approval of, or accession to, this Convention, or any time thereafter, declare that this Convention does not apply to ships:
(a) which do not exceed 200 gross tonnage; and
(b) which carry hazardous and noxious substances only in packaged form; and
(c) while they are engaged on voyages between ports or facilities of that State.
2 Where two neighbouring States agree that this Convention does not apply also to ships which are covered by paragraph 1(a) and (b) while engaged on voyages between ports or facilities of those States, the States concerned may declare that the exclusion from the application of this Convention declared under paragraph 1 covers also ships referred to in this paragraph.
3 Any State which has made the declaration under paragraph 1 or 2 may withdraw such declaration at any time.
4 A declaration made under paragraph 1 or 2, and the withdrawal of the declaration made under paragraph 3, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General who shall, after the entry into force of this Convention, communicate it to the Director.
5 Where a State has made a declaration under paragraph 1or 2 and has not withdrawn it, hazardous and noxious substances carried on board ships covered by that paragraph shall not be considered to be contributing cargo for the purpose of application of articles 18, 20, article 21, paragraph 5 and article 43.
6 The HNS Fund is not liable to pay compensation for damage caused by substances carried by a ship to which the Convention does not apply pursuant to a declaration made under paragraph 1or 2, to the extent that:
(a) the damage as defined in article 1, paragraph 6(a), (b) or (c) was caused in:
(i) the territory, including the territorial sea, of the State which has made the declaration, or in the case of neighbouring States which have made a declaration under paragraph 2, of either of them; or
(ii) the exclusive economic zone, or area mentioned in article 3(b), of the State or States referred to in (i);
(b) the damage includes measures taken to prevent or minimize such damage.

Each State Party shall ensure that any obligation arising under this Convention is fulfilled and shall take appropriate measures under its law including the imposing of sanctions as it may deem necessary, with a view to the effective execution of any such obligation.

1 Except as provided in paragraphs 2 and 3, the owner at the time of an incident shall be liable for damage caused by any hazardous and noxious substances in connection with their carriage by sea on board the ship, provided that if an incident consists of a series of occurrences having the same origin the liability shall attach to the owner at the time of the first of such occurrences.
2 No liability shall attach to the owner if the owner proves that:
(a) the damage resulted from an act of war, hostilities, civil war, insurrection or a natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; or
(b) the damage was wholly caused by an act or omission done with the intent to cause damage by a third party; or
(c) the damage was wholly caused by the negligence or other wrongful act of any Government or other authority responsible for the maintenance of lights or other navigational aids in the exercise of that function; or
(d) the failure of the shipper or any other person to furnish information concerning the hazardous and noxious nature of the substances shipped either
(i) has caused the damage, wholly or partly; or
(ii) has led the owner not to obtain insurance in accordance with article 12;
provided that neither the owner nor its servants or agents knew or ought reasonably to have known of the hazardous and noxious nature of the substances shipped.
3 If the owner proves that the damage resulted wholly or partly either from an act or omission done with intent to cause damage by the person who suffered the damage or from the negligence of that person, the owner may be exonerated wholly or partially from liability to such person.
4 No claim for compensation for damage shall be made against the owner otherwise than in accordance with this Convention.
5 Subject to paragraph 6, no claim for compensation for damage under this Convention or otherwise may be made against:
(a) the servants or agents of the owner or the members of the crew;
(b) the pilot or any other person who, without being a member of the crew, performs services for the ship;
(c) any charterer (howsoever described, including a bareboat charterer), manager or operator of the ship;
(d) any person performing salvage operations with the consent of the owner or on the instructions of a competent public authority;
(e) any person taking preventive measures; and
(f) the servants or agents of persons mentioned in (c), (d) and (e);
unless the damage resulted from their personal act or omission, committed with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result.
6 Nothing in this Convention shall prejudice any existing right of recourse of the owner against any third party, including, but not limited to, the shipper or the receiver of the substance causing the damage, or the persons indicated in paragraph 5.

1 Whenever damage has resulted from an incident involving two or more ships each of which is carrying hazardous and noxious substances, each owner, unless exonerated under article 7, shall be liable for the damage. The owners shall be jointly and severally liable for all such damage which is not reasonably separable.
2 However, owners shall be entitled to the limits of liability applicable to each of them under article 9.
3 Nothing in this article shall prejudice any right of recourse of an owner against any other owner.

1 The owner of a ship shall be entitled to limit liability under this Convention in respect of any one incident to an aggregate amount calculated as follows:
(a) 10 million units of account for a ship not exceeding 2,000 units of tonnage; and
(b) for a ship with a tonnage in excess thereof, the following amount in addition to that mentioned in (a):
for each unit of tonnage from 2,001 to 50,000 units of tonnage, 1,500 units of account;
for each unit of tonnage in excess of 50,000 units of tonnage, 360 units of account;
provided, however, that this aggregate amount shall not in any event exceed 100 million units of account.
2 The owner shall not be entitled to limit liability under this Convention if it is proved that the damage resulted from the personal act or omission of the owner, committed with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result.
3 The owner shall, for the purpose of benefitting from the limitation provided for in paragraph 1, constitute a fund for the total sum representing the limit of liability established in accordance with paragraph 1 with the court or other competent authority of any one of the States Parties in which action is brought under article 38 or, if no action is brought, with any court or other competent authority in any one of the States Parties in which an action can be brought under article 38. The fund can be constituted either by depositing the sum or by producing a bank guarantee or other guarantee, acceptable under the law of the State Party where the fund is constituted, and considered to be adequate by the court or other competent authority.
4 Subject to the provisions of article 11, the fund shall be distributed among the claimants in proportion to the amounts of their established claims.
5 If before the fund is distributed the owner or any of the servants or agents of the owner or any person providing to the owner insurance or other financial security has as a result of the incident in question, paid compensation for damage, such person shall, up to the amount that person has paid, acquire by subrogation the rights which the person so compensated would have enjoyed under this Convention.
6 The right of subrogation provided for in paragraph 5 may also be exercised by a person other than those mentioned therein in respect of any amount of compensation for damage which such person may have paid but only to the extent that such subrogation is permitted under the applicable national law.
7 Where owners or other persons establish that they may be compelled to pay at a later date in whole or in part any such amount of compensation, with regard to which the right of subrogation would have been enjoyed under paragraphs 5 or 6 had the compensation been paid before the fund was distributed, the court or other competent authority of the State where the fund has been constituted may order that a sufficient sum shall be provisionally set aside to enable such person at such later date to enforce the claim against the fund.
8 Claims in respect of expenses reasonably incurred or sacrifices reasonably made by the owner voluntarily to prevent or minimize damage shall rank equally with other claims against the fund.
9 (a) The amounts mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be converted into national currency on the basis of the value of that currency by reference to the Special Drawing Right on the date of the constitution of the fund referred to in paragraph 3. The value of the national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a State Party which is a member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in accordance with the method of valuation applied by the International Monetary Fund in effect on the date in question for its operations and transactions. The value of the national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a State Party which is not a member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in a manner determined by that State.
(b) Nevertheless, a State Party which is not a member of the International Monetary Fund and whose law does not permit the application of the provisions of paragraph 9(a) may, at the time of ratification, acceptance, approval of or accession to this Convention or at any time thereafter, declare that the unit of account referred to in paragraph 9(a) shall be equal to 15 gold francs. The gold franc referred to in this paragraph corresponds to sixty(c) The calculation mentioned in the last sentence of paragraph 9(a) and the conversion mentioned in paragraph 9(b) shall be made in such manner as to express in the national currency of the State Party as far as possible the same real value for the amounts in paragraph 1 as would result from the application of the first two sentences of paragraph 9(a). States Parties shall communicate to the Secretary-General the manner of calculation pursuant to paragraph 9(a), or the result of the conversion in paragraph 9(b) as the case may be, when depositing an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval of or accession to this Convention and whenever there is a change in either.
10 For the purpose of this article the ship's tonnage shall be the gross tonnage calculated in accordance with the tonnage measurement regulations contained in Annex I of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969.
11 The insurer or other person providing financial security shall be entitled to constitute a fund in accordance with this article on the same conditions and having the same effect as if it were constituted by the owner. Such a fund may be constituted even if, under the provisions of paragraph 2, the owner is not entitled to limitation of liability, but its constitution shall in that case not prejudice the rights of any claimant against the owner.

1 Where the owner, after an incident, has constituted a fund in accordance with article 9 and is entitled to limit liability:
(a) no person having a claim for damage arising out of that incident shall be entitled to exercise any right against any other assets of the owner in respect of such claim; and
(b) the court or other competent authority of any State Party shall order the release of any ship or other property belonging to the owner which has been arrested in respect of a claim for damage arising out of that incident, and shall similarly release any bail or other security furnished to avoid such arrest.
2 The foregoing shall, however, only apply if the claimant has access to the court administering the fund and the fund is actually available in respect of the claim.

Claims in respect of death or personal injury have priority over other claims save to the extent that the aggregate of such claims exceeds two-thirds of the total amount established in accordance with article 9, paragraph 1.

1 The owner of a ship registered in a State Party and actually carrying hazardous and noxious substances shall be required to maintain insurance or other financial security, such as the guarantee of a bank or similar financial institution, in the sums fixed by applying the limits of liability prescribed in article 9, paragraph 1, to cover liability for damage under this Convention.
2 A compulsory insurance certificate attesting that insurance or other financial security is in force in accordance with the provisions of this Convention shall be issued to each ship after the appropriate authority of a State Party has determined that the requirements of paragraph 1 have been complied with. With respect to a ship registered in a State Party such compulsory insurance certificate shall be issued or certified by the appropriate authority of the State of the ship's registry; with respect to a ship not registered in a State Party it may be issued or certified by the appropriate authority of any State Party. This compulsory insurance certificate shall be in the form of the model set out in Annex I and shall contain the following particulars:
(a) name of the ship, distinctive number or letters and port of registry;
(b) name and principal place of business of the owner;
(c) IMO ship identification number;
(d) type and duration of security;
(e) name and principal place of business of insurer or other person giving security and, where appropriate, place of business where the insurance or security is established; and
(f) period of validity of certificate, which shall not be longer than the period of validity of the insurance or other security.
3 The compulsory insurance certificate shall be in the official language or languages of the issuing State. If the language used is neither English, nor French nor Spanish, the text shall include a translation into one of these languages.
4 The compulsory insurance certificate shall be carried on board the ship and a copy shall be deposited with the authorities who keep the record of the ship's registry or, if the ship is not registered in a State Party, with the authority of the State issuing or certifying the certificate.
5 An insurance or other financial security shall not satisfy the requirements of this article if it can cease, for reasons other than the expiry of the period of validity of the insurance or security specified in the certificate under paragraph 2, before three months have elapsed from the date on which notice of its termination is given to the authorities referred to in paragraph 4, unless the compulsory insurance certificate has been issued within the said period. The foregoing provisions shall similarly apply to any modification which results in the insurance or security no longer satisfying the requirements of this article.
6 The State of the ship's registry shall, subject to the provisions of this article, determine the conditions of issue and validity of the compulsory insurance certificate.
7 Compulsory insurance certificates issued or certified under the authority of a State Party in accordance with paragraph 2 shall be accepted by other States Parties for the purposes of this Convention and shall be regarded by other States Parties as having the same force as compulsory insurance certificates issued or certified by them even if issued or certified in respect of a ship not registered in a State Party. A State Party may at any time request consultation with the issuing or certifying State should it believe that the insurer or guarantor named in the compulsory insurance certificate is not financially capable of meeting the obligations imposed by this Convention.
8 Any claim for compensation for damage may be brought directly against the insurer or other person providing financial security for the owner's liability for damage. In such case the defendant may, even if the owner is not entitled to limitation of liability, benefit from the limit of liability prescribed in accordance with paragraph 1. The defendant may further invoke the defences (other than the bankruptcy or winding up of the owner) which the owner would have been entitled to invoke. Furthermore, the defendant may invoke the defence that the damage resulted from the wilful misconduct of the owner, but the defendant shall not invoke any other defence which the defendant might have been entitled to invoke in proceedings brought by the owner against the defendant. The defendant shall in any event have the right to require the owner to be joined in the proceedings.
9 Any sums provided by insurance or by other financial security maintained in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be available exclusively for the satisfaction of claims under this Convention.
10 A State Party shall not permit a ship under its flag to which this article applies to trade unless a certificate has been issued under paragraph 2 or 12.
11 Subject to the provisions of this article, each State Party shall ensure, under its national law, that insurance or other security in the sums specified in paragraph 1 is in force in respect of any ship, wherever registered, entering or leaving a port in its territory, or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in its territorial sea.
12 If insurance or other financial security is not maintained in respect of a ship owned by a State Party, the provisions of this article relating thereto shall not be applicable to such ship, but the ship shall carry a compulsory insurance certificate issued by the appropriate authorities of the State of the ship's registry stating that the ship is owned by that State and that the ship's liability is covered within the limit prescribed in accordance with paragraph 1. Such a compulsory insurance certificate shall follow as closely as possible the model prescribed by paragraph 2.

1 The International Hazardous and Noxious Substances Fund (HNS Fund) is hereby established with the following aims:
(a) to provide compensation for damage in connection with the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea, to the extent that the protection afforded by chapter II is inadequate or not available; and
(b) to give effect to the related tasks set out in article 15.
2 The HNS Fund shall in each State Party be recognized as a legal person capable under the laws of that State of assuming rights and obligations and of being a party in legal proceedings before the courts of that State. Each State Party shall recognize the Director as the legal representative of the HNS Fund.

1 For the purpose of fulfilling its function under article 13, paragraph 1(a), the HNS Fund shall pay compensation to any person suffering damage if such person has been unable to obtain full and adequate compensation for the damage under the terms of chapter II:
(a) because no liability for the damage arises under chapter II;
(b) because the owner liable for the damage under chapter II is financially incapable of meeting the obligations under this Convention in full and any financial security that may be provided under chapter II does not cover or is insufficient to satisfy the claims for compensation for damage; an owner being treated as financially incapable of meeting these obligations and a financial security being treated as insufficient if the person suffering the damage has been unable to obtain full satisfaction of the amount of compensation due under chapter II after having taken all reasonable steps to pursue the available legal remedies;
(c) because the damage exceeds the owner's liability under the terms of chapter II.
2 Expenses reasonably incurred or sacrifices reasonably made by the owner voluntarily to prevent or minimize damage shall be treated as damage for the purposes of this article.
3 The HNS Fund shall incur no obligation under the preceding paragraphs if:
(a) it proves that the damage resulted from an act of war, hostilities, civil war or insurrection or was caused by hazardous and noxious substances which had escaped or been discharged from a warship or other ship owned or operated by a State and used, at the time of the incident, only on Government non-commercial service; or
(b) the claimant cannot prove that there is a reasonable probability that the damage resulted from an incident involving
one or more ships.
4 If the HNS Fund proves that the damage resulted wholly or partly either from an act or omission done with intent to cause damage by the person who suffered the damage or from the negligence of that person, the HNS Fund may be exonerated wholly or partially from its obligation to pay compensation to such person. The HNS Fund shall in any event be exonerated to the extent that the owner may have been exonerated under article 7, paragraph 3. However, there shall be no such exoneration of the HNS Fund with regard to preventive measures.
5 (a) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (b), the aggregate amount of compensation payable by the HNS Fund under this article shall in respect of any one incident be limited, so that the total sum of that amount and any amount of compensation actually paid under chapter II for damage within the scope of application of this Convention as defined in article 3 shall not exceed 250 million units of account.
(b) The aggregate amount of compensation payable by the HNS Fund under this article for damage resulting from a natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character shall not exceed 250 million units of account.
(c) Interest accrued on a fund constituted in accordance with article 9, paragraph 3, if any, shall not be taken into account for the computation of the maximum compensation payable by the HNS Fund under this article.
(d) The amounts mentioned in this article shall be converted into national currency on the basis of the value of that currency with reference to the Special Drawing Right on the date of the decision of the Assembly of the HNS Fund as to the first date of payment of compensation.
6 Where the amount of established claims against the HNS Fund exceeds the aggregate amount of compensation payable under paragraph 5, the amount available shall be distributed in such a manner that the proportion between any established claim and the amount of compensation actually recovered by the claimant under this Convention shall be the same for all claimants. Claims in respect of death or personal injury shall have priority over other claims, however, save to the extent that the aggregate of such claims exceeds two-thirds of the total amount established in accordance with paragraph 5.
7 The Assembly of the HNS Fund may decide that, in exceptional cases, compensation in accordance with this Convention can be paid even if the owner has not constituted a fund in accordance with chapter II. In such cases paragraph 5(d) applies accordingly.

For the purpose of fulfilling its function under article 13, paragraph 1(a), the HNS Fund shall have the following tasks:
(a) to consider claims made against the HNS Fund;
(b) to prepare an estimate in the form of a budget for each calendar year of:
Expenditure:
(i) costs and expenses of the administration of the HNS Fund in the relevant year and any deficit from operations in the preceding years; and
(ii) payments to be made by the HNS Fund in the relevant year;
Income:
(iii) surplus funds from operations in preceding years, including any interest;
(iv) initial contributions to be paid in the course of the year;
(v) annual contributions if required to balance the budget; and
(vi) any other income;
(c) to use at the request of a State Party its good offices as necessary to assist that State to secure promptly such personnel, material and services as are necessary to enable the State to take measures to prevent or mitigate damage arising from an incident in respect of which the HNS Fund may be called upon to pay compensation under this Convention; and
(d) to provide, on conditions laid down in the internal regulations, credit facilities with a view to the taking of preventive measures against damage arising from a particular incident in respect of which the HNS Fund may be called upon to pay compensation under this Convention.

1 The HNS Fund shall have a general account, which shall be divided into sectors.
2 The HNS Fund shall, subject to article 19, paragraphs 3 and 4, also have separate accounts in respect of:
(a) oil as defined in article 1, paragraph 5(a)(i) (oil account);
(b) liquefied natural gases of light hydrocarbons with methane as the main constituent (LNG) (LNG account); and
(c) liquefied petroleum gases of light hydrocarbons with propane and butane as the main constituents (LPG) (LPG account).
3 There shall be initial contributions and, as required, annual contributions to the HNS Fund.
4 Contributions to the HNS Fund shall be made into the general account in accordance with article 18, to separate accounts in accordance with article 19 and to either the general account or separate accounts in accordance with article 20 or article 21, paragraph 5. Subject to article 19, paragraph 6, the general account shall be available to compensate damage caused by hazardous and noxious substances covered by that account, and a separate account shall be available to compensate damage caused by a hazardous and noxious substance covered by that account.
5 For the purposes of article 18, article 19, paragraph 1(a)(i), paragraph 1(a)(ii) and paragraph 1(c), article 20 and article 21, paragraph 5, where the quantity of a given type of contributing cargo received in the territory of a State Party by any person in a calendar year when aggregated with the quantities of the same type of cargo received in the same State Party in that year by any associated person or persons exceeds the limit specified in the respective subparagraphs, such a person shall pay contributions in respect of the actual quantity received by that person notwithstanding that that quantity did not exceed the respective limit.
6 "Associated person" means any subsidiary or commonly controlled entity. The question whether a person comes within this definition shall be determined by the national law of the State concerned.

1 Annual contributions to the general account and to each separate account shall be levied only as required to make payments by the account in question.
2 Annual contributions payable pursuant to articles 18, 19 and article 21, paragraph 5 shall be determined by the Assembly and shall be calculated in accordance with those articles on the basis of the units of contributing cargo received or, in respect of cargoes referred to in article 19, paragraph 1(b), discharged during the preceding calendar year or such other year as the Assembly may decide.
3 The Assembly shall decide the total amount of annual contributions to be levied to the general account and to each separate account. Following that decision the Director shall, in respect of each State Party, calculate for each person liable to pay contributions in accordance with article 18, article 19, paragraph 1 and article 21, paragraph 5, the amount of that person's annual contribution to each account, on the basis of a fixed sum for each unit of contributing cargo reported in respect of the person during the preceding calendar year or such other year as the Assembly may decide. For the general account, the above-mentioned fixed sum per unit of contributing cargo for each sector shall be calculated pursuant to the regulations contained in Annex II to this Convention. For each separate account, the fixed sum per unit of contributing cargo referred to above shall be calculated by dividing the total annual contribution to be levied to that account by the total quantity of cargo contributing to that account.
4 The Assembly may also levy annual contributions for administrative costs and decide on the distribution of such costs between the sectors of the general account and the separate accounts.
5 The Assembly shall also decide on the distribution between the relevant accounts and sectors of amounts paid in compensation for damage caused by two or more substances which fall within different accounts or sectors, on the basis of an estimate of the extent to which each of the substances involved contributed to the damage.

1 Subject to article 16, paragraph 5, annual contributions to the general account shall be made in respect of each State Party by any person who was the receiver in that State in the preceding calendar year, or such other year as the Assembly may decide, of aggregate quantities exceeding 20,000 tonnes of contributing cargo, other than substances referred to in article 19, paragraph 1, which fall within the following sectors:
(a) solid bulk materials referred to in article 1, paragraph 5(a)(vii);
(b) substances referred to in paragraph 2; and
(c) other substances.
2 Annual contributions shall also be payable to the general account by persons who would have been liable to pay contributions to a separate account in accordance with article 19, paragraph 1 had its operation not been postponed or suspended in accordance with article 19. Each separate account the operation of which has been postponed or suspended under article 19 shall form a separate sector within the general account.

1 Subject to article 16, paragraph 5, annual contributions to separate accounts shall be made in respect of each State Party:
(a) in the case of the oil account,
(i) by any person who has received in that State in the preceding calendar year, or such other year as the Assembly may decide, total quantities exceeding 150,000 tonnes of contributing oil as defined in article 1, paragraph 3 of the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971, as amended, and who is or would be liable to pay contributions to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund in accordance with article 10 of that Convention; and
(ii) by any person who was the receiver in that State in the preceding calendar year, or such other year as the Assembly may decide, of total quantities exceeding 20,000 tonnes of other oils carried in bulk listed in appendix I of Annex I to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended;
(b) in the case of the LNG account, by any person who in the preceding calendar year, or such other year as the Assembly may decide, immediately prior to its discharge, held title to an LNG cargo discharged in a port or terminal of that State;
(c) in the case of the LPG account, by any person who in the preceding calendar year, or such other year as the Assembly may decide, was the receiver in that State of total quantities exceeding 20,000 tonnes of LPG.
2 Subject to paragraph 3, the separate accounts referred to in paragraph 1 above shall become effective at the same time as the general account.
3 The initial operation of a separate account referred to in article 16, paragraph 2 shall be postponed until such time as the quantities of contributing cargo in respect of that account during the preceding calendar year, or such other year as the Assembly may decide, exceed the following levels:
(a) 350 million tonnes of contributing cargo in respect of the oil account;
(b) 20 million tonnes of contributing cargo in respect of the LNG account; and
(c) 15 million tonnes of contributing cargo in respect of the LPG account.
4 The Assembly may suspend the operation of a separate account if:
(a) the quantities of contributing cargo in respect of that account during the preceding calendar year fall below the respective level specified in paragraph 3; or
(b) when six months have elapsed from the date when the contributions were due, the total unpaid contributions to that account exceed ten per cent of the most recent levy to that account in accordance with paragraph 1.
5 The Assembly may reinstate the operation of a separate account which has been suspended in accordance with paragraph 4.
6 Any person who would be liable to pay contributions to a separate account the operation of which has been postponed in accordance with paragraph 3 or suspended in accordance with paragraph 4, shall pay into the general account the contributions due by that person in respect of that separate account. For the purpose of calculating future contributions, the postponed or suspended separate account shall form a new sector in the general account and shall be subject to the HNS points system defined in Annex II.

1 In respect of each State Party, initial contributions shall be made of an amount which shall for each person liable to pay contributions in accordance with article 16, paragraph 5, articles 18, 19 and article 21, paragraph 5 be calculated on the basis of a fixed sum, equal for the general account and each separate account, for each unit of contributing cargo received or, in the case of LNG, discharged in that State, during the calendar year preceding that in which this Convention enters into force for that State.
2 The fixed sum and the units for the different sectors within the general account as well as for each separate account referred to in paragraph 1 shall be determined by the Assembly.
3 Initial contributions shall be paid within three months following the date on which the HNS Fund issues invoices in respect of each State Party to persons liable to pay contributions in accordance with paragraph 1.

1 Each State Party shall ensure that any person liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19 or paragraph 5 of this article appears on a list to be established and kept up to date by the Director in accordance with the provisions of this article.
2 For the purposes set out in paragraph 1, each State Party shall communicate to the Director, at a time and in the manner to be prescribed in the internal regulations of the HNS Fund, the name and address of any person who in respect of the State is liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19 or paragraph 5 of this article, as well as data on the relevant quantities of contributing cargo for which such a person is liable to contribute in respect of the preceding calendar year.
3 For the purposes of ascertaining who are, at any given time, the persons liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19 or paragraph 5 of this article and of establishing, where applicable, the quantities of cargo to be taken into account for any such person when determining the amount of the contribution, the list shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
4 Where a State Party does not fulfil its obligations to communicate to the Director the information referred to in paragraph 2 and this results in a financial loss for the HNS Fund, that State Party shall be liable to compensate the HNS Fund for such loss. The Assembly shall, on the recommendation of the Director, decide whether such compensation shall be payable by a State Party.
5 In respect of contributing cargo carried from one port or terminal of a State Party to another port or terminal located in the same State and discharged there, States Parties shall have the option of submitting to the HNS Fund a report with an annual aggregate quantity for each account covering all receipts of contributing cargo, including any quantities in respect of which contributions are payable pursuant to article 16, paragraph 5. The State Party shall, at the time of reporting, either:
(a) notify the HNS Fund that that State will pay the aggregate amount for each account in respect of the relevant year in one lump sum to the HNS Fund; or
(b) instruct the HNS Fund to levy the aggregate amount for each account by invoicing individual receivers or, in the case of LNG, the title holder who discharges within the jurisdiction of that State Party, for the amount payable by each of them. These persons shall be identified in accordance with the national law of the State concerned.

1 The amount of any contribution due under articles 18, 19, 20 or article 21, paragraph 5 and which is in arrears shall bear interest at a rate which shall be determined in accordance with the internal regulations of the HNS Fund, provided that different rates may be fixed for different circumstances.
2 Where a person who is liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19, 20 or article 21, paragraph 5 does not fulfil the obligations in respect of any such contribution or any part thereof and is in arrears, the Director shall take all appropriate action, including court action, against such a person on behalf of the HNS Fund with a view to the recovery of the amount due. However, where the defaulting contributor is manifestly insolvent or the circumstances otherwise so warrant, the Assembly may, upon recommendation of the Director, decide that no action shall be taken or continued against the contributor.

1 Without prejudice to article 21, paragraph 5, a State Party may at the time when it deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any time thereafter declare that it assumes responsibility for obligations imposed by this Convention on any person liable to pay contributions in accordance with articles 18, 19, 20 or article 21, paragraph 5 in respect of hazardous and noxious substances received or discharged in the territory of that State. Such a declaration shall be made in writing and shall specify which obligations are assumed.
2 Where a declaration under paragraph 1 is made prior to the entry into force of this Convention in accordance with article 46, it shall be deposited with the Secretary-General who shall after the entry into force of this Convention communicate the declaration to the Director.
3 A declaration under paragraph 1 which is made after the entry into force of this Convention shall be deposited with the Director.
4 A declaration made in accordance with this article may be withdrawn by the relevant State giving notice thereof in writing to the Director. Such a notification shall take effect three months after the Director's receipt thereof.
5 Any State which is bound by a declaration made under this article shall, in any proceedings brought against it before a competent court in respect of any obligation specified in the declaration, waive any immunity that it would otherwise be entitled to invoke.

The HNS Fund shall have an Assembly and a Secretariat headed by the Director.

The Assembly shall consist of all States Parties to this Convention.

The functions of the Assembly shall be:
(a) to elect at each regular session its President and two Vicemutatis mutandis, for the work of such subsidiary body;
(j) to determine which States not party to this Convention, which Associate Members of the Organization and which intergovernmental and international non five years the implementation of this Convention with particular reference to the performance of the system for the calculation of levies and the contribution mechanism for domestic trade; and
(n) to perform such other functions as are allocated to it under this Convention or are otherwise necessary for the proper operation of the HNS Fund.

1 Regular sessions of the Assembly shall take place once every calendar year upon convocation by the Director.
2 Extraordinary sessions of the Assembly shall be convened by the Director at the request of at least one-third of the members of the Assembly and may be convened on the Director's own initiative after consultation with the President of the Assembly. The Director shall give members at least thirty days' notice of such sessions.

A majority of the members of the Assembly shall constitute a quorum for its meetings.

1 The Secretariat shall comprise the Director and such staff as the administration of the HNS Fund may require.
2 The Director shall be the legal representative of the HNS Fund.

1 The Director shall be the chief administrative officer of the HNS Fund. Subject to the instructions given by the Assembly, the Director shall perform those functions which are assigned to the Director by this Convention, the internal regulations of the HNS Fund and the Assembly.
2 The Director shall in particular:
(a) appoint the personnel required for the administration of the HNS Fund;
(b) take all appropriate measures with a view to the proper administration of the assets of the HNS Fund;
(c) collect the contributions due under this Convention while observing in particular the provisions of article 22, paragraph 2;
(d) to the extent necessary to deal with claims against the HNS Fund and to carry out the other functions of the HNS Fund, employ the services of legal, financial and other experts;
(e) take all appropriate measures for dealing with claims against the HNS Fund, within the limits and on conditions to be laid down in the internal regulations of the HNS Fund, including the final settlement of claims without the prior approval of the Assembly where these regulations so provide;
(f) prepare and submit to the Assembly the financial statements and budget estimates for each calendar year;
(g) prepare, in consultation with the President of the Assembly, and publish a report on the activities of the HNS Fund during the previous calendar year; and
(h) prepare, collect and circulate the documents and information which may be required for the work of the Assembly and subsidiary bodies.

In the performance of their duties the Director and the staff and experts appointed by the Director shall not seek or receive instructions from any Government or from any authority external to the HNS Fund. They shall refrain from any action which might adversely reflect on their position as international officials. Each State Party on its part undertakes to respect the exclusively international character of the responsibilities of the Director and the staff and experts appointed by the Director, and not to seek to influence them in the discharge of their duties.

1 Each State Party shall bear the salary, travel and other expenses of its own delegation to the Assembly and of its representatives on subsidiary bodies.
2 Any other expenses incurred in the operation of the HNS Fund shall be borne by the HNS Fund.

The following provisions shall apply to voting in the Assembly:
(a) each member shall have one vote;
(b) except as otherwise provided in article 34, decisions of the Assembly shall be made by a majority vote of the members present and voting;
(c) decisions where a two-thirds majority is required shall be a two-thirds majority vote of members present; and
(d) for the purpose of this article the phrase "members present" means "members present at the meeting at the time of the vote", and the phrase "members present and voting" means "members present and casting an affirmative or negative vote". Members who abstain from voting shall be considered as not voting.

The following decisions of the Assembly shall require a two-thirds majority:
(a) a decision under article 19, paragraphs 4 or 5 to suspend or reinstate the operation of a separate account;
(b) a decision under article 22, paragraph 2, not to take or continue action against a contributor;
(c) the appointment of the Director under article 26(d);
(d) the establishment of subsidiary bodies, under article 26(i), and matters relating to such establishment; and
(e) a decision under article 51, paragraph 1, that this Convention shall continue to be in force.

1 The HNS Fund, its assets, income, including contributions, and other property necessary for the exercise of its functions as described in article 13, paragraph 1, shall enjoy in all States Parties exemption from all direct taxation.
2 When the HNS Fund makes substantial purchases of movable or immovable property, or of services which are necessary for the exercise of its official activities in order to achieve its aims as set out in article 13, paragraph 1, the cost of which include indirect taxes or sales taxes, the Governments of the States Parties shall take, whenever possible, appropriate measures for the remission or refund of the amount of such duties and taxes. Goods thus acquired shall not be sold against payment or given away free of charge unless it is done according to conditions approved by the Government of the State having granted or supported the remission or refund.
3 No exemption shall be accorded in the case of duties, taxes or dues which merely constitute payment for public utility services.
4 The HNS Fund shall enjoy exemption from all customs duties, taxes and other related taxes on articles imported or exported by it or on its behalf for its official use. Articles thus imported shall not be transferred either for consideration or gratis on the territory of the country into which they have been imported except on conditions agreed by the Government of that country.
5 Persons contributing to the HNS Fund as well as victims and owners receiving compensation from the HNS Fund shall be subject to the fiscal legislation of the State where they are taxable, no special exemption or other benefit being conferred on them in this respect.
6 Notwithstanding existing or future regulations concerning currency or transfers, States Parties shall authorize the transfer and payment of any contribution to the HNS Fund and of any compensation paid by the HNS Fund without any restriction.

Information relating to individual contributors supplied for the purpose of this Convention shall not be divulged outside the HNS Fund except in so far as it may be strictly necessary to enable the HNS Fund to carry out its functions including the bringing and defending of legal proceedings.

1 Rights to compensation under chapter II shall be extinguished unless an action is brought thereunder within three years from the date when the person suffering the damage knew or ought reasonably to have known of the damage and of the identity of the owner.
2 Rights to compensation under chapter III shall be extinguished unless an action is brought thereunder or a notification has been made pursuant to article 39, paragraph 7, within three years from the date when the person suffering the damage knew or ought reasonably to have known of the damage.
3 In no case, however, shall an action be brought later than ten years from the date of the incident which caused the damage.
4 Where the incident consists of a series of occurrences, the ten-year period mentioned in paragraph 3 shall run from the date of the last of such occurrences.

1 Where an incident has caused damage in the territory, including the territorial sea or in an area referred to in article 3(b), of one or more States Parties, or preventive measures have been taken to prevent or minimize damage in such territory including the territorial sea or in such area, actions for compensation may be brought against the owner or other person providing financial security for the owner's liability only in the courts of any such States Parties.
2 Where an incident has caused damage exclusively outside the territory, including the territorial sea, of any State and either the conditions for application of this Convention set out in article 3(c) have been fulfilled or preventive measures to prevent or minimize such damage have been taken, actions for compensation may be brought against the owner or other person providing financial security for the owner's liability only in the courts of:
(a) the State Party where the ship is registered or, in the case of an unregistered ship, the State Party whose flag the ship is entitled to fly; or
(b) the State Party where the owner has habitual residence or where the principal place of business of the owner is established; or
(c) the State Party where a fund has been constituted in accordance with article 9, paragraph 3.
3 Reasonable notice of any action taken under paragraph 1 or 2 shall be given to the defendant.
4 Each State Party shall ensure that its courts have jurisdiction to entertain actions for compensation under this Convention.
5 After a fund under article 9 has been constituted by the owner or by the insurer or other person providing financial security in accordance with article 12, the courts of the State in which such fund is constituted shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine all matters relating to the apportionment and distribution of the fund.

1 Subject to the subsequent provisions of this article, any action against the HNS Fund for compensation under article 14 shall be brought only before a court having jurisdiction under article 38 in respect of actions against the owner who is liable for damage caused by the relevant incident or before a court in a State Party which would have been competent if an owner had been liable.
2 In the event that the ship carrying the hazardous or noxious substances which caused the damage has not been identified, the provisions of article 38, paragraph 1, shall apply mutatis mutandis to actions against the HNS Fund.
3 Each State Party shall ensure that its courts have jurisdiction to entertain such actions against the HNS Fund as are referred to in paragraph 1.
4 Where an action for compensation for damage has been brought before a court against the owner or the owner's guarantor, such court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action against the HNS Fund for compensation under the provisions of article 14 in respect of the same damage.
5 Each State Party shall ensure that the HNS Fund shall have the right to intervene as a party to any legal proceedings instituted in accordance with this Convention before a competent court of that State against the owner or the owner's guarantor.
6 Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7, the HNS Fund shall not be bound by any judgement or decision in proceedings to which it has not been a party or by any settlement to which it is not a party.
7 Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 5, where an action under this Convention for compensation for damage has been brought against an owner or the owner's guarantor before a competent court in a State Party, each party to the proceedings shall be entitled under the national law of that State to notify the HNS Fund of the proceedings. Where such notification has been made in accordance with the formalities required by the law of the court seized and in such time and in such a manner that the HNS Fund has in fact been in a position effectively to intervene as a party to the proceedings, any judgement rendered by the court in such proceedings shall, after it has become final and enforceable in the State where the judgement was given, become binding upon the HNS Fund in the sense that the facts and findings in that judgement may not be disputed by the HNS Fund even if the HNS Fund has not actually intervened in the proceedings.

1 Any judgement given by a court with jurisdiction in accordance with article 38, which is enforceable in the State of origin where it is no longer subject to ordinary forms of review, shall be recognized in any State Party, except:
(a) where the judgement was obtained by fraud; or
(b) where the defendant was not given reasonable notice and a fair opportunity to present the case.
2 A judgement recognized under paragraph 1 shall be enforceable in each State Party as soon as the formalities required in that State have been complied with. The formalities shall not permit the merits of the case to be re-opened.
3 Subject to any decision concerning the distribution referred to in article 14, paragraph 6, any judgement given against the HNS Fund by a court having jurisdiction in accordance with article 39, paragraphs 1 and 3 shall, when it has become enforceable in the State of origin and is in that State no longer subject to ordinary forms of review, be recognized and enforceable in each State Party.

1 The HNS Fund shall, in respect of any amount of compensation for damage paid by the HNS Fund in accordance with article 14, paragraph 1, acquire by subrogation the rights that the person so compensated may enjoy against the owner or the owner's guarantor.
2 Nothing in this Convention shall prejudice any rights of recourse or subrogation of the HNS Fund against any person, including persons referred to in article 7, paragraph 2(d), other than those referred to in the previous paragraph, in so far as they can limit their liability. In any event the right of the HNS Fund to subrogation against such persons shall not be less favourable than that of an insurer of the person to whom compensation has been paid.
3 Without prejudice to any other rights of subrogation or recourse against the HNS Fund which may exist, a State Party or agency thereof which has paid compensation for damage in accordance with provisions of national law shall acquire by subrogation the rights which the person so compensated would have enjoyed under this Convention.

This Convention shall supersede any convention in force or open for signature, ratification or accession at the date on which this Convention is opened for signature, but only to the extent that such convention would be in conflict with it; however, nothing in this article shall affect the obligations of States Parties to States not party to this Convention arising under such convention.

When depositing an instrument referred to in article 45, paragraph 3, and annually thereafter until this Convention enters into force for a State, that State shall submit to the Secretary-General data on the relevant quantities of contributing cargo received or, in the case of LNG, discharged in that State during the preceding calendar year in respect of the general account and each separate account.

1 This Convention shall be open for signature at the Headquarters of the Organization from 1 October 1996 to 30 September 1997 and shall thereafter remain open for accession.
2 States may express their consent to be bound by this Convention by:
(a) signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval; or
(b) signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval; or
(c) accession.
3 Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument to that effect with the Secretary-General.

1 This Convention shall enter into force eighteen months after the date on which the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a) at least twelve States, including four States each with not less than 2 million units of gross tonnage, have expressed their consent to be bound by it, and
(b) the Secretary-General has received information in accordance with article 43 that those persons in such States who would be liable to contribute pursuant to article 18, paragraphs 1(a) and (c) have received during the preceding calendar year a total quantity of at least 40 million tonnes of cargo contributing to the general account.
2 For a State which expresses its consent to be bound by this Convention after the conditions for entry into force have been met, such consent shall take effect three months after the date of expression of such consent, or on the date on which this Convention enters into force in accordance with paragraph 1, whichever is the later.

1 A conference for the purpose of revising or amending this Convention may be convened by the Organization.
2 The Secretary-General shall convene a conference of the States Parties to this Convention for revising or amending the Convention, at the request of six States Parties or one-third of the States Parties, whichever is the higher figure.
3 Any consent to be bound by this Convention expressed after the date of entry into force of an amendment to this Convention shall be deemed to apply to the Convention as amended.

1 Without prejudice to the provisions of article 47, the special procedure in this article shall apply solely for the purposes of amending the limits set out in article 9, paragraph 1 and article 14, paragraph 5.
2 Upon the request of at least one half, but in no case less than six, of the States Parties, any proposal to amend the limits specified in article 9, paragraph 1, and article 14, paragraph 5, shall be circulated by the Secretary-General to all Members of the Organization and to all Contracting States.
3 Any amendment proposed and circulated as above shall be submitted to the Legal Committee of the Organization (the Legal Committee) for consideration at a date at least six months after the date of its circulation.
4 All Contracting States, whether or not Members of the Organization, shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings of the Legal Committee for the consideration and adoption of amendments.
5 Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the Contracting States present and voting in the Legal Committee, expanded as provided in paragraph 4, on condition that at least one half of the Contracting States shall be present at the time of voting.
6 When acting on a proposal to amend the limits, the Legal Committee shall take into account the experience of incidents and, in particular, the amount of damage resulting therefrom, changes in the monetary values and the effect of the proposed amendment on the cost of insurance. It shall also take into account the relationship between the limits established in article 9, paragraph 1, and those in article 14, paragraph 5.
7 (a) No amendment of the limits under this article may be considered less than five years from the date this Convention was opened for signature nor less than five years from the date of entry into force of a previous amendment under this article.
(b) No limit may be increased so as to exceed an amount which corresponds to a limit laid down in this Convention increased by six per cent per year calculated on a compound basis from the date on which this Convention was opened for signature.
(c) No limit may be increased so as to exceed an amount which corresponds to a limit laid down in this Convention multiplied by three.
8 Any amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 5 shall be notified by the Organization to all Contracting States. The amendment shall be deemed to have been accepted at the end of a period of eighteen months after the date of notification, unless within that period no less than one-fourth of the States which were Contracting States at the time of the adoption of the amendment have communicated to the Secretary-General that they do not accept the amendment, in which case the amendment is rejected and shall have no effect.
9 An amendment deemed to have been accepted in accordance with paragraph 8 shall enter into force eighteen months after its acceptance.
10 All Contracting States shall be bound by the amendment, unless they denounce this Convention in accordance with article 49, paragraphs 1 and 2, at least six months before the amendment enters into force. Such denunciation shall take effect when the amendment enters into force.
11 When an amendment has been adopted but the eighteen month period for its acceptance has not yet expired, a State which becomes a Contracting State during that period shall be bound by the amendment if it enters into force. A State which becomes a Contracting State after that period shall be bound by an amendment which has been accepted in accordance with paragraph 8. In the cases referred to in this paragraph, a State becomes bound by an amendment when that amendment enters into force, or when this Convention enters into force for that State, if later.

1 This Convention may be denounced by any State Party at any time after the date on which it enters into force for that State Party.
2 Denunciation shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of denunciation with the Secretary-General.
3 Denunciation shall take effect twelve months, or such longer period as may be specified in the instrument of denunciation, after its deposit with the Secretary-General.
4 Notwithstanding a denunciation by a State Party pursuant to this article, any provisions of this Convention relating to obligations to make contributions under articles 18, 19 or article 21, paragraph 5 in respect of such payments of compensation as the Assembly may decide relating to an incident which occurs before the denunciation takes effect shall continue to apply.

1 Any State Party may, within ninety days after the deposit of an instrument of denunciation the result of which it considers will significantly increase the level of contributions from the remaining States Parties, request the Director to convene an extraordinary session of the Assembly. The Director shall convene the Assembly to meet not less than sixty days after receipt of the request.
2 The Director may take the initiative to convene an extraordinary session of the Assembly to meet within sixty days after the deposit of any instrument of denunciation, if the Director considers that such denunciation will result in a significant increase in the level of contributions from the remaining States Parties.
3 If the Assembly, at an extraordinary session, convened in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 decides that the denunciation will result in a significant increase in the level of contributions from the remaining States Parties, any such State may, not later than one hundred and twenty days before the date on which the denunciation takes effect, denounce this Convention with effect from the same date.

1 This Convention shall cease to be in force:
(a) on the date when the number of States Parties falls below 6; or
(b) twelve months after the date on which data concerning a previous calendar year were to be communicated to the Director in accordance with article 21, if the data shows that the total quantity of contributing cargo to the general account in accordance with article 18, paragraphs 1(a) and (c) received in the States Parties in that preceding calendar year was less than 30 million tonnes.
Notwithstanding (b), if the total quantity of contributing cargo to the general account in accordance with article 18, paragraphs 1(a) and (c) received in the States Parties in the preceding calendar year was less than 30 million tonnes but more than 25 million tonnes, the Assembly may, if it considers that this was due to exceptional circumstances and is not likely to be repeated, decide before the expiry of the above-mentioned twelve month period that the Convention shall continue to be in force. The Assembly may not, however, take such a decision in more than two subsequent years.
2 States which are bound by this Convention on the day before the date it ceases to be in force shall enable the HNS Fund to exercise its functions as described under article 52 and shall, for that purpose only, remain bound by this Convention.

1 If this Convention ceases to be in force, the HNS Fund shall nevertheless:
(a) meet its obligations in respect of any incident occurring before this Convention ceased to be in force; and
(b) be entitled to exercise its rights to contributions to the extent that these contributions are necessary to meet the obligations under (a), including expenses for the administration of the HNS Fund necessary for this purpose.
2 The Assembly shall take all appropriate measures to complete the winding up of the HNS Fund including the distribution in an equitable manner of any remaining assets among those persons who have contributed to the HNS Fund.
3 For the purposes of this article the HNS Fund shall remain a legal person.

1 This Convention and any amendment adopted under article 48 shall be deposited with the Secretary-General.
2 The Secretary-General shall:
(a) inform all States which have signed this Convention or acceded thereto, and all Members of the Organization, of:
(i) each new signature or deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession together with the date thereof;
(ii) the date of entry into force of this Convention;
(iii) any proposal to amend the limits on the amounts of compensation which has been made in accordance with article 48, paragraph 2;
(iv) any amendment which has been adopted in accordance with article 48, paragraph 5;
(v) any amendment deemed to have been accepted under article 48, paragraph 8, together with the date on which that amendment shall enter into force in accordance with paragraphs 9 and 10 of that article;
(vi) the deposit of any instrument of denunciation of this Convention together with the date on which it is received and the date on which the denunciation takes effect; and
(vii) any communication called for by any article in this Convention; and
(b) transmit certified true copies of this Convention to all States which have signed this Convention or acceded thereto.
3 As soon as this Convention enters into force, a certified true copy thereof shall be transmitted by the depositary to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for registration and publication in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.

This Convention is established in a single original in the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, each text being equally authentic.
DONE AT LONDON this third day of May one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments for that purpose, have signed this Convention.

1 The fixed sum referred to in article 17, paragraph 3 shall be determined for each sector in accordance with these regulations.
2 When it is necessary to calculate contributions for more than one sector of the general account, a separate fixed sum per unit of contributing cargo shall be calculated for each of the following sectors as may be required:
(a) solid bulk materials referred to in article 1, paragraph 5(a)(vii);
(b) oil, if the operation of the oil account is postponed or suspended;
(c) LNG, if the operation of the LNG account is postponed or suspended;
(d) LPG, if the operation of the LPG account is postponed or suspended;
(e) other substances.

1 For each sector, the fixed sum per unit of contributing cargo shall be the product of the levy per HNS point and the sector factor for that sector.
2 The levy per HNS point shall be the total annual contributions to be levied to the general account divided by the total HNS points for all sectors.
3 The total HNS points for each sector shall be the product of the total volume, measured in metric tonnes, of contributing cargo for that sector and the corresponding sector factor.
4 A sector factor shall be calculated as the weighted arithmetic average of the claims/volume ratio for that sector for the relevant year and the previous nine years, according to this regulation.
5 Except as provided in paragraph 6, the claims/volume ratio for each of these years shall be calculated as follows:
(a) established claims, measured in units of account converted from the claim currency using the rate applicable on the date of the incident in question, for damage caused by substances in respect of which contributions to the HNS Fund are due for the relevant year; divided by
(b) the volume of contributing cargo corresponding to the relevant year.
6 In cases where the information required in paragraphs 5(a) and (b) is not available, the following values shall be used for the claims/volume ratio for each of the missing years:

(a) solid bulk materials referred to in article 1,
    paragraph 5 (a)(vii)                                        0
(b) oil, if the operation of the oil account is
    postponed                                                   0
(c) LNG, if the operation of the LNG account
    is postponed                                                0
(d) LPG, if the operation of the LPG account
    is postponed                                                0
(e) other substences                                       0.0001

7 The arithmetic average of the ten years shall be weighted on a decreasing linear scale, so that the ratio of the relevant year shall have a weight of 10, the year prior to the relevant year shall have a weight of 9, the next preceding year shall have a weight of 8, and so on, until the tenth year has a weight of 1.
8 If the operation of a separate account has been suspended, the relevant sector factor shall be calculated in accordance with those provisions of this regulation which the Assembly shall consider appropriate.

DRŽAVE POGODBENICE TE KONVENCIJE,
ZAVEDAJOČ SE nevarnosti, ki jih povzroča prevoz nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju po vsem svetu,
PREPRIČANE, da je treba zagotoviti primerno, hitro in učinkovito nadomestilo škode osebam, ki so utrpele škodo, ki so jo povzročili incidenti pri prevozu takih snovi po morju,
V ŽELJI, da se sprejmejo enotna mednarodna pravila in postopki za reševanje vprašanj odgovornosti in nadomestil za tako povzročeno škodo,
UPOŠTEVAJOČ, da je treba ekonomske posledice škode, povzročene s prevozom nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju, razdeliti med zadevni sektor pomorskih prevozov in s tovorom povezane interese,
SO SE SPORAZUMELE, kakor sledi:

Za uporabo te konvencije:
1 »Ladja« pomeni katero koli ladjo in plovilo katere koli vrste, ki je namenjeno plovbi po morju.
2 »Oseba« pomeni fizično ali pravno osebo javnega ali zasebnega prava, vključno z državo ali njenimi ozemeljskimi skupnostmi.
3 »Lastnik« pomeni osebo ali osebe, ki so vpisane v ladijski register kot lastnik ladje ali, če vpisa ni, osebo ali osebe, ki so lastniki ladje. Vendar pa, če je ladja v lasti države in z njo upravlja družba, ki je v navedeni državi vpisana kot upravljavec ladje, pomeni »lastnik« tako družbo.
4 »Prejemnik« pomeni bodisi:
(a) osebo, ki fizično prevzame tovor, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, raztovorjen v pristaniščih in terminalih države pogodbenice; če v času prevzema oseba, ki fizično prevzame tovor, nastopa kot zastopnik za drugo osebo, ki je v pristojnosti katere koli države pogodbenice, potem se za prejemnika šteje naročnik, če seveda zastopnik razkrije naročnika Skladu HNS; ali
(b) osebo v državi pogodbenici, ki skladno z nacionalno zakonodajo te države pogodbenice velja za prejemnika tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, raztovorjenega v pristaniščih in terminalih države pogodbenice, če je celotni tovor, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, prevzet skladno s to nacionalno zakonodajo, v bistvu isti kot tisti, ki bi bil prevzet pod (a).
5 »Nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi« (HNS) pomeni:
(a) vse snovi, materiale in predmete, ki se prevažajo na ladijskem krovu, iz (i) do (vii) spodaj:
(i) olja, ki se prevažajo v razsutem stanju, navedena v dodatku I k Prilogi I k Mednarodni konvenciji o preprečevanju onesnaževanja morja z ladij, 1973, kakor je bila spremenjena z zadevnim Protokolom iz leta 1978, skladno s spremembami;
(ii) zdravju škodljive tekoče snovi, ki se prevažajo v razsutem stanju, iz dodatka II k Prilogi II k Mednarodni konvenciji o preprečevanju onesnaževanja morja z ladij, 1973, kakor je bila spremenjena z zadevnim Protokolom iz leta 1978, skladno s spremembami, in tiste snovi in mešanice, ki so začasno uvrščene v kategorijo onesnaževanja A, B, C in D skladno s pravilom 3(4) navedene Priloge II;
(iii) nevarne tekoče snovi, ki se prevažajo v razsutem stanju, navedene v poglavju 17 Mednarodnega kodeksa za gradnjo in opremo ladij za prevoz nevarnih kemikalij, ki se prevažajo v razsutem stanju, 1983, skladno s spremembami, in nevarne proizvode, za katere zadevna uprava in pristaniške uprave predpisujejo predhodne primerne pogoje prevoza skladno z odstavkom 1.1.3 Kodeksa;
(iv) nevarne, tvegane in škodljive snovi, materiale in predmete v pakirani obliki, ki so zajeti v Mednarodnem kodeksu za prevoz nevarnih snovi po morju, skladno s spremembami;
(v) utekočinjene pline iz poglavja 19 Mednarodnega kodeksa za gradnjo in opremo ladij za prevoz nevarnih utekočinjenih plinov, ki se prevažajo v razsutem stanju, 1983, skladno s spremembami, in proizvode, za katere zadevna uprava in pristaniške uprave predpisujejo predhodne primerne pogoje prevoza skladno z odstavkom 1.1.6 Kodeksa;
(vi) tekoče snovi, ki se prevažajo v razsutem stanju, katerih plamenišče ne presega 60 °C (izmerjeno s preizkusom zaprte skodelice);
(vii) trdne materiale v razsutem stanju s kemičnim tveganjem, zajete v dodatku B Kodeksa za varno ravnanje s trdnimi gorivi v razsutem stanju, skladno s spremembami, kolikor za te snovi veljajo določbe Mednarodnega kodeksa za prevoz nevarnih snovi po morju, kadar se prevažajo v pakirani obliki; in
(b) ostanke predhodnega razsutega tovora snovi iz (a)(i) do (iii) in (v) do (vii) zgoraj.
6 »Škoda« pomeni:
(a) izgubo življenja ali telesno poškodbo na krovu ali izven ladje, ki prevaža nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki so jo povzročile te snovi;
(b) izgubo ali poškodbo lastnine izven ladje, ki prevaža nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki so jo povzročile te snovi;
(c) izgubo ali škodo zaradi onesnaženja okolja, ki so ga povzročile nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, če je nadomestilo za degradacijo okolja, razen za izgubo dobička zaradi take degradacije, omejeno na stroške razumnih in že izvedenih ukrepov ali ukrepov, ki se bodo izvedli za ponovno vzpostavitev prejšnjega stanja; in
(d) stroške preventivnih ukrepov in nadaljnjo izgubo ali škodo, ki jo povzročijo preventivni ukrepi.
Kadar ni mogoče razumno ločiti med škodo, ki so jo povzročile nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, in škodo, ki so jo povzročili drugi dejavniki, velja, da so vso tako škodo povzročile nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, razen če in kolikor je škoda, ki so jo povzročili drugi dejavniki, vrsta škode iz člena 4(3).
V tem odstavku »so jo povzročile tiste snovi« pomeni, da so jo povzročile nevarne ali zdravju škodljive lastnosti snovi.
7 »Preventivni ukrepi« pomeni vse razumne ukrepe, ki jih izvede katera koli oseba po incidentu, da bi preprečila ali kar najbolj zmanjšala škodo.
8 »Incident« pomeni kateri koli dogodek ali niz dogodkov, ki izhajajo iz istega vira, zaradi katerega nastane škoda ali ki pomeni resno in neposredno grožnjo za nastanek škode.
9 »Prevoz po morju« pomeni obdobje od časa, ko nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi vstopijo v kateri koli del opreme ladje, ob natovarjanju, do časa, ko prenehajo biti prisotne v katerem koli delu opreme ladje, ob raztovarjanju. Če ni uporabljena nobena ladijska oprema, se obdobje ustrezno začne in konča, ko nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi prečkajo ladijsko ograjo.
10 »Tovor, za katerega se plačuje prispevek« pomeni katere koli nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki se prevažajo po morju kot tovor do pristanišča ali terminala na ozemlju države pogodbenice, in ki se raztovorijo v tej državi. Tranzitni tovor, ki se prenese neposredno ali prek pristanišča ali terminala, iz ene ladje na drugo, v celoti ali delno, se med prevozom iz pristanišča ali terminala prvotnega natovarjanja v pristanišče ali terminal končne namembnosti obravnava kot tovor, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, samo v zvezi s prevzemom na kraju končne namembnosti.
11 »Sklad HNS« pomeni Mednarodni sklad za nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ustanovljen po členu 13.
12 »Obračunska enota« pomeni posebno pravico črpanja skladno z opredelitvijo Mednarodnega denarnega sklada.
13 »Država ladijskega registra« pomeni v zvezi z ladjo, ki je vpisana v register, državo ladijskega registra, in v zvezi z ladjo, ki ni vpisana v register, državo, za katero ima ladja pravico, da pluje pod njeno zastavo.
14 »Terminal« pomeni kateri koli kraj za skladiščenje nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi, prevzetih s sredstva za prevoz po vodi, vključno s katerim koli plavajočim objektom, povezanim s takim krajem po cevovodu ali kako drugače.
15 »Direktor« pomeni direktorja Sklada HNS.
16 »Organizacija« pomeni Mednarodno pomorsko organizacijo.
17 »Generalni sekretar« pomeni generalnega sekretarja Organizacije.

Priloge k tej konvenciji so sestavni del te konvencije.

Priloge se uporabljajo izključno:
(a) za vsako škodo, povzročeno na ozemlju države pogodbenice, vključno z njenim teritorialnim morjem;
(b) za škodo, ki se povzroči zaradi onesnaženja okolja, ki nastane v izključni ekonomski coni države pogodbenice, razglašeni skladno z mednarodnim pravom, ali, če država pogodbenica nima take cone, na območju onkraj teritorialnega morja in ob teritorialnem morju te države, ki ga opredeli ta država skladno z mednarodnim pravom in ki ne sega več kot 200 navtičnih milj od temeljnih črt, od katerih se meri širina teritorialnega morja;
(c) za drugo škodo kot za škodo, ki se povzroči zaradi onesnaženja okolja, ki nastane izven ozemlja katerekoli države, vključno z njenim teritorialnim morjem, če je to škodo povzročila snov, ki se je prevažala na krovu ladje, vpisane v ladijski register države pogodbenice, ali, v primeru ladje, ki ni vpisana v register, na krovu ladje, ki ima pravico do plutja pod zastavo države pogodbenice; in
(d) za preventivne ukrepe, kadar se sprejmejo.

1 Ta konvencija se uporablja za druge zahtevke, kot so zahtevki, ki izhajajo iz katere koli pogodbe za prevoz blaga in potnikov, v zvezi s škodo, ki nastane zaradi prevoza nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju.
2 Ta konvencija se ne uporablja, če so njene določbe neskladne z določbami prava, ki se uporablja v zvezi z odškodninskimi nadomestili delavcem ali programi socialnega varstva.
3 Ta konvencija se ne uporablja:
(a) za škodo, ki se povzroči zaradi onesnaženja, kakor je opredeljena v Mednarodni konvenciji o civilni odgovornosti za škodo, povzročeno z onesnaženjem z nafto, 1969, skladno s spremembami, ne glede na to, ali je zadevno nadomestilo po navedeni konvenciji plačljivo ali ne; in
(b) za škodo, ki jo povzročijo radioaktivni materiali razreda 7 bodisi iz Mednarodnega kodeksa za prevoz nevarnih snovi po morju, skladno s spremembami, ali iz dodatka B Kodeksa za varno ravnanje s trdnimi gorivi v razsutem stanju, skladno s spremembami.
4 Z izjemo določb odstavka 5 se določbe te konvencije ne uporabljajo za vojne ladje, pomožno mornarico ali druge ladje v lasti ali upravljanju države, ki se začasno uporabljajo samo za nekomercialne vladne storitve.
5 Država pogodbenica se lahko odloči, da to konvencijo uporabi za svoje vojne ladje ali druga plovila iz odstavka 4, in v tem primeru o tem obvesti generalnega sekretarja, ob navedbi pogojev take uporabe.
6 V zvezi z ladjami v lasti države pogodbenice, ki se uporabljajo v komercialne namene, za vsako državo velja, da je lahko predmet tožbe v smislu pristojnosti iz člena 38, in da se odreče vsaki obrambi, ki temelji na njenem statusu suverene države.

1 Država lahko ob ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu k tej konvenciji ali kadar koli kasneje izjavi, da se ta konvencija ne uporablja za ladje:
(a) katerih bruto tonaža ne presega 200 ton; in
(b) ki prevažajo nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi izključno v pakirani obliki; in
(c) med pristanišči ali objekti te države.
2 Kadar se dve sosednji državi dogovorita, da se ta konvencija ravno tako ne uporablja za ladje iz odstavka 1(a) in (b) med plovbo med pristanišči ali objekti teh držav, lahko ti državi razglasita, da izključitev iz uporabe te konvencije iz odstavka 1 zajema tudi ladje, navedene v tem odstavku.
3 Vsaka država, ki je dala izjavo po odstavku 1 ali 2, lahko kadar koli umakne to izjavo.
4 Izjava, dana po odstavku 1 ali 2, in umik izjave, dan po odstavku 3, se deponira pri generalnem sekretarju, ki jo/ga potem, ko začne veljati, sporoči direktorju.
5 Kadar država da izjavo po odstavku 1 ali 2 in je ne umakne, se nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki se prevažajo na krovu ladij iz zadevnega odstavka, ne obravnavajo kot tovor, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za namen uporabe členov 18, 20, člena 21(5) ter člena 43.
6 Sklad HNS ni odgovoren za plačilo nadomestila za škodo, ki jo povzročijo snovi, ki jih prevaža ladja, za katere Konvencija ne velja skladno z izjavo, dano po odstavku 1 in 2, če:
(a) je škoda, skladno z opredelitvijo v členu 1, odstavek 6(a), (b) ali (c), povzročena na/v:
(i) ozemlju, vključno s teritorialnim morjem, države, ki je dala izjavo, ali v primeru sosednjih držav, ki so dale izjavo po odstavku 2, katere koli od njih; ali
(ii) izključni ekonomski coni, ali območju iz člena 3(b), države ali držav iz (i);
(b) škoda vključuje sprejete ukrepe za preprečevanje ali zmanjševanje take škode na najmanjšo možno mero.

Vsaka država pogodbenica zagotovi izpolnitev vseh zadevnih obveznosti in sprejme potrebne ukrepe po svoji zakonodaji, vključno s potrebnimi sankcijami, za učinkovito izvajanje vseh takih obveznosti.

1 Razen kot je predpisano v odstavkih 2 in 3, je tisti, ki je lastnik v času incidenta, odgovoren za škodo, ki jo povzročijo nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi pri prevozu po morju na krovu ladje, če se, kadar je incident sestavljen iz niza incidentov istega izvora, odgovornost pripiše lastniku ob prvem izmed teh incidentov.
2 Lastnik ne nosi odgovornosti, če lastnik dokaže, da:
(a) je škoda nastala zaradi vojne, sovražnosti, državljanske vojne, upora ali naravnega pojava izjemnega, neizogibnega in neukrotljivega značaja; ali
(b) je škodo v celoti povzročilo dejanje ali opustitev dejanja tretje osebe z namenom, da se povzroči škoda; ali
(c) je škoda v celoti nastala zaradi malomarnosti ali drugega protipravnega dejanja katere koli vlade ali drugega organa, odgovornega za vzdrževanje luči ali drugih navigacijskih pripomočkov, pri izvajanju svoje funkcije; ali
(d) je dejstvo, da vkrcevalec ali katera koli druga oseba ni dala informacij glede nevarne in zdravju škodljive narave vkrcanih snovi,
(i) povzročilo škodo, v celoti ali delno; ali
(ii) pripeljalo lastnika do tega, da ni sklenil zavarovalne police skladno s členom 12;
če niti lastnik niti njegovi uslužbenci ali zastopniki niso vedeli niti ni mogoče razumno sklepati, da so vedeli za nevarno in zdravju škodljivo naravo vkrcanih snovi.
3 Če lastnik dokaže, da je škoda v celoti ali delno nastala zaradi dejanja ali opustitve nekega dejanja osebe, ki je utrpela škodo, z namenom, da se povzroči škoda, ali zaradi malomarnosti te osebe, se lastnik lahko v celoti ali delno oprosti odgovornosti do te osebe.
4 Odškodninski zahtevki zoper lastnika se vložijo izključno skladno s tem.
5 Skladno z odstavkom 6 se ne sme vložiti noben odškodninski zahtevek, po tej konvenciji ali sicer, zoper:
(a) uslužbence ali zastopnike lastnika ali člane posadke;
(b) pilota ali katero koli drugo osebo, ki opravlja storitve za ladjo, ne da bi bila član posadke;
(c) katerega koli zakupnika (kakor koli opisanega, vključno z zakupnikom ladijskega prostora), upravitelja ali operaterja ladje;
(d) katero koli osebo, ki opravlja reševalne operacije s privolitvijo lastnika ali po navodilih pristojnega organa oblasti;
(e) katero koli osebo, ki izvaja preventivne ukrepe; in
(f) uslužbence ali zastopnike oseb iz (c), (d) in (e);
razen v primerih, če škoda nastane zaradi njihovega osebnega dejanja ali opustitve dejanja, ki se zagreši z namenom povzročiti to škodo, ali zaradi nepremišljenosti in ob poznavanju dejstva, da bo zato po vsej verjetnosti nastala taka škoda.
6 Nič v tej konvenciji ne posega v morebitne obstoječe pravice ali možnosti nadomestila, ki jih lahko uveljavlja lastnik do katere koli tretje osebe, kar vključuje, vendar se ne omejuje na vkrcevalca ali prejemnika snovi, ki je povzročila škodo, ali osebe iz odstavka 5.

1 Kadar je nastala škoda rezultat incidenta, v katerega sta vpleteni dve ali več ladij, od katerih vse prevažajo nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, je za škodo odgovoren vsak lastnik, razen v primeru oprostitve po členu 7. Lastniki so skupno in posamično odgovorni za vso tako škodo, ki je ni mogoče razumno ločiti.
2 Vendar pa imajo lastniki pravico do omejitve odgovornosti, ki velja za vsakega od njih po členu 9.
3 Nič v tem členu ne posega v morebitno pravico ali možnost nadomestila, ki jo lastnik lahko uveljavlja proti kateremu koli drugemu lastniku.

1 Lastnik ladje je upravičen do omejitve odgovornosti po tej konvenciji za katero koli posamični incident do skupne vsote, ki se izračuna, kakor sledi:
(a) 10 milijonov obračunskih enot za ladjo, katere tonaža ne presega 2000 enot; in
(b) za ladjo, katere tonaža presega navedeno, naslednjo vsoto poleg tiste iz (a):
– za vsako enoto tonaže od 2001 do 50000 enot tonaže, 1500 obračunskih enot;
– za vsako enoto tonaže nad 50000 enot tonaže, 360 obračunskih enot;
vendar le, če ta skupna vsota v nobenem primeru ne preseže 100 milijonov obračunskih enot.
2 Lastnik ni upravičen do omejitve odgovornosti po tej konvenciji, če se dokaže, da je škoda nastala zaradi osebnega dejanja ali opustitve dejanja lastnika, ki se zagreši z namenom povzročiti to škodo, ali zaradi nepremišljenosti in ob poznavanju dejstva, da bo zato po vsej verjetnosti nastala taka škoda.
3 Da bi lahko izkoristil omejitev iz odstavka 1, lastnik osnuje sklad za skupno vsoto, ki pomeni omejitev odgovornosti, določeno skladno z odstavkom 1, pri sodišču ali pristojnem organu katere koli države pogodbenice, v kateri se vloži tožba po členu 38 ali, če se ne vloži tožba, pri katerem koli sodišču ali pristojnem organu v kateri koli državi pogodbenici, v kateri se lahko vloži tožba po členu 38. Sklad se lahko ustanovi bodisi s pologom vsote ali ob predložitvi bančne garancije ali drugega jamstva, ki je sprejemljivo po zakonodaji države pogodbenice, v kateri se sklad ustanovi, in za katerega sodišče ali drug pristojni organ meni, da je ustrezno.
4 Skladno z določbami člena 11 se sklad razdeli med vlagatelje zahtevkov sorazmerno z zneski njihovih ugotovljenih zahtevkov.
5 Če je, kot rezultat zadevnega incidenta, pred razdelitvijo sklada lastnik ali kateri koli od uslužbencev ali zastopnikov lastnika ali katera koli oseba, ki lastniku daje zavarovanje ali drugo obliko finančnega jamstva, plačala nadomestilo za škodo, ta oseba po načelu subrogacije pridobi, do višine zneska, ki ga je plačala, pravice, ki bi jih po tej konvenciji imela oseba, ki bi ji pripadlo tako nadomestilo.
6 Pravico do subrogacije iz člena 5 lahko izkoristi tudi druga oseba, ki ni navedena zgoraj, za kateri koli morebitni znesek nadomestila za škodo, ki ga je taka oseba plačala, vendar samo do mere, do katere je taka subrogacija dovoljena po veljavni nacionalni zakonodaji.
7 Kadar lastnik ali druge osebe ugotovijo, da bodo morda kasneje morale v celoti ali delno plačati tak znesek nadomestila, za katerega je mogoče izkoristiti pravico do subrogacije po odstavkih 5 ali 6, če bi bilo nadomestilo plačano pred razdelitvijo sklada, lahko sodišče ali drug pristojni organ države, v kateri se osnuje sklad, odredi začasno rezervacijo zadostne vsote, da zadevni osebi omogoči, da kdaj kasneje izterja zahtevek do sklada.
8 Zahtevki v zvezi z razumno nastalimi stroški ali prostovoljnimi razumnimi žrtvami lastnika, da bi preprečil ali kar se da zmanjšal škodo, imajo enak položaj kot drugi zahtevki do sklada.
9 (a) Zneski iz odstavka 1 se pretvorijo v nacionalno valuto na podlagi vrednosti te valute, s sklicem na posebno pravico črpanja, na datum ustanovitve sklada iz odstavka 3. Vrednost nacionalne valute, v smislu posebne pravice črpanja, za državo pogodbenico, ki je članica Mednarodnega denarnega sklada, se izračuna skladno z metodo vrednotenja, ki jo je uporabljal Mednarodni denarni sklad za svoje operacije in transakcije na zadevni datum. Vrednost nacionalne valute, v smislu posebne pravice črpanja, za državo pogodbenico, ki ni članica Mednarodnega denarnega sklada, se izračuna skladno z metodo, ki jo opredeli ta država.
(b) Kljub temu pa lahko država pogodbenica, ki ni članica Mednarodnega denarnega sklada in katere pravo ne dovoljuje uporabe določb odstavka 9(a), ob času ratifikacije, sprejetja, odobritve ali pristopa k tej konvenciji ali kadar koli kasneje, izjavi, da je obračunska enota iz odstavka 9(a) enaka znesku 15 zlatih frankov. Zlati frank iz tega odstavka ustreza teži petinšestdeset in pol miligramov zlata na tisočino prečiščene kakovosti zlata devetsto. Pretvorba zlatega franka v nacionalno valuto se izvede skladno z zakonodajo te države.
(c) Izračun iz zadnjega stavka odstavka 9(a) in pretvorba iz odstavka 9(b) se izvedeta na način, po katerem je vrednost, izražena v nacionalni valuti države pogodbenice, čim bližja isti realni vrednosti zneskov iz odstavka 1, do katere bi prišli z uporabo prvih dveh stavkov odstavka 9(a). Države pogodbenice obvestijo generalnega sekretarja o načinu izračuna po odstavku 9(a) ali o rezultatu pretvorbe iz odstavka 9(b), kot je ustrezno, ko deponirajo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu k tej konvenciji, in kadar pride do spremembe v enem ali drugem.
10 V tem členu tonaža ladje pomeni bruto tonažo, ki se izračuna skladno s predpisi o izmeri tonaže iz Priloge I k Mednarodni konvenciji o izmeri ladij, 1969.
11 Zavarovalnica ali druga oseba, ki zagotovi finančno jamstvo, je upravičena do ustanovitve sklada skladno s tem členom pod istimi pogoji in z enakim učinkom, kot če bi ga ustanovil lastnik. Tak sklad se lahko oblikuje tudi, če lastnik ni upravičen do omejitve odgovornosti po določbah odstavka 2, vendar v tem primeru njegova ustanovitev ne posega v pravice nobenega vlagatelja zahtevka zoper lastnika.

1 Kadar lastnik po incidentu ustanovi sklad skladno s členom 9 in je upravičen do omejitve odgovornosti:
(a) nobena oseba z odškodninskim zahtevkom, ki izhaja iz tega incidenta, ne more uveljavljati nobene pravice do morebitnih drugih sredstev lastnika v zvezi s takim zahtevkom; in
(b) sodišče ali drug pristojni organ katere koli države pogodbenice odredi sprostitev vsake ladje ali drugega premoženja lastnika, zaplenjenega v zvezi z odškodninskim zahtevkom, ki izhaja iz tega incidenta, in podobno sprosti morebitno varščino ali drugo jamstvo, ki je bilo predloženo z namenom izogniti se taki zaplembi.
2 Vendar se zgoraj navedeno uporabi samo, če ima vlagatelj zahtevka dostop do sodišča, ki upravlja s skladom, in če ima sklad dejansko razpoložljiva sredstva v zvezi z zahtevkom.

Zahtevki v zvezi s smrtjo in telesno poškodbo imajo prednost pred drugimi zahtevki, razen kadar skupna vsota takih zahtevkov presega dve tretjini celotnega zneska, opredeljenega skladno s členom 9(1).

1 Lastnik ladje, ki je vpisana v ladijski register države pogodbenice in ki dejansko prevaža nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, mora imeti sklenjeno zavarovanje ali drugo finančno jamstvo, kakor je garancija pri banki ali podobni finančni ustanovi, v zneskih, ki se določijo z uporabo omejitev odgovornosti iz člena 9(1), za kritje odgovornosti za škodo po tej konvenciji.
2 Potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju, ki priča o veljavnem zavarovanju ali drugem finančnem jamstvu skladno z določbami te konvencije, se izda vsaki ladji, potem ko ustrezni organ države pogodbenice ugotovi, da so izpolnjene zahteve odstavka 1. Za ladjo, ki vpisana v ladijski register v državi pogodbenici, potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju izda ali overi ustrezni organ države ladijskega registra; za ladjo, ki ni vpisana v register v državi pogodbenici, ga lahko izda ali overi ustrezni organ katere koli države pogodbenice. To potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju se izda v obliki, skladni z vzorcem iz Priloge I, in vsebuje naslednje podatke:
(a) ime ladje, razločevalno številko ali črke, ter pristanišče vpisa;
(b) ime in primarni kraj poslovanja lastnika;
(c) IMO identifikacijsko številko ladje;
(d) vrsto in trajanje jamstva;
(e) ime in glavni sedež zavarovalnice ali druge osebe, ki je izdala jamstvo, in, kadar je ustrezno, poslovalnico, kjer je bilo sklenjeno zavarovanje ali izdano jamstvo; in
(f) obdobje veljavnosti potrdila, ki ni daljše od obdobja veljavnosti zavarovanja ali drugega jamstva.
3 Potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju je v uradnem jeziku ali jezikih države, ki ga je izdala. Če uporabljeni jezik ni niti angleščina niti francoščina niti španščina, naj besedilo vsebuje prevod v enega od teh jezikov.
4 Potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju je na krovu ladje, kopija pa se deponira pri organih, ki vodijo evidenco o vpisu ladje, ali, če ladja ni vpisana v ladijski register v državi pogodbenici, pri organu države, ki izda ali overi potrdilo.
5 Zavarovanje ali drugo finančno jamstvo ne izpolnjuje zahtev tega člena, če lahko preneha iz drugih razlogov, kot je iztek obdobja veljavnosti zavarovanja ali jamstva, navedenega v potrdilu iz odstavka 2, pred iztekom treh mesecev od datuma, na katerega se organom iz odstavka 4 predloži obvestilo o njegovem prenehanju, razen če je bilo potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju izdano v navedenem obdobju. Podobno se predhodne določbe uporabijo za vse morebitne spremembe, zaradi katerih zavarovanje ali jamstvo več ne izpolnjuje zahtev tega člena.
6 Država ladijskega registra, skladno z določbami tega člena, opredeli pogoje izdaje in veljavnosti potrdila o obveznem zavarovanju.
7 Potrdila o obveznem zavarovanju, ki jih izda ali overi organ države pogodbenice skladno z odstavkom 2, se v drugih državah pogodbenicah sprejmejo za namene te konvencije in zanje velja, da imajo enako veljavo kot potrdila o obveznem zavarovanju, ki so jih izdale te države same, tudi če so izdana ali overjena za ladjo, ki ni vpisana v ladijski register v državi pogodbenici. Država pogodbenica lahko kadar koli zahteva posvet z državo, ki je izdala ali overila potrdilo, če meni, da zavarovalnica ali porok, naveden v potrdilu o obveznem zavarovanju, finančno ni sposoben izpolniti obveznosti iz te konvencije.
8 Kateri koli odškodninski zahtevek se lahko vloži neposredno zoper zavarovalnico ali drugo osebo, ki zagotovi finančno jamstvo za lastnikovo odgovornost za škodo. V takem primeru lahko tožena stranka, tudi če lastnik ni upravičen do omejitve odgovornosti, izkoristi predpisano omejitev odgovornosti skladno z odstavkom 1. Tožena stranka lahko nadalje uporabi ugovore (razen stečaja ali likvidacije lastnika), do uporabe katerih bi bil upravičen lastnik. Nadalje tožena stranka lahko uporabi ugovor, da je škoda nastala zaradi namernega neprimernega ravnanja lastnika, vendar pa tožena stranka ne sme uporabiti nobenega drugega ugovora, do uporabe katere bi bila tožena stranka upravičena v postopku, ki bi ga proti toženi stranki sprožil lastnik. Tožena stranka ima v vsakem primeru pravico zahtevati, da se v postopek vključi lastnik.
9 Vsi morebitni zneski, ki jih zagotovi zavarovalnica ali drugo finančno jamstvo, ki se sklene skladno z odstavkom 1, so na razpolago izključno za poravnavo zahtevkov po tej konvenciji.
10 Država pogodbenica ne dovoli trgovati ladji, za katero se uporablja ta člen in ki pluje pod njeno zastavo, brez izdanega potrdila po odstavku 2 ali 12.
11 Skladno z določbami tega člena vsaka država pogodbenica v svoji nacionalni zakonodaji zagotovi, da ima vsaka ladja, ki vstopa v ali zapušča pristanišče na njenem ozemlju, ali ki vstopa v ali zapušča plavajoči objekt v njenem teritorialnem morju, ne glede na to, kje je vpisana v register, veljavno zavarovanje ali drugo jamstvo v višini, navedeni v odstavku 1.
12 Če se zavarovanje ali drugo finančno jamstvo ne vzdržuje za ladjo v lasti države pogodbenice, se za tako ladjo ne uporabijo zadevne določbe tega člena, vendar naj ima ladja na krovu potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju, ki so ga izdali ustrezni organi države ladijskega registra, ki navaja, da je ladja v lasti te države in da ima ladja kritje odgovornosti v predpisanih mejah skladno z odstavkom 1. Tako potrdilo o obveznem zavarovanju naj bo kar se da skladno s predpisanim vzorcem iz odstavka 2.

1 Ustanovi se Mednarodni sklad za nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi (Sklad HNS) z naslednjimi nameni:
(a) zagotavljanje nadomestil za škodo v zvezi s prevozom nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju, če zaščita, ki jo zagotavlja Poglavje II, ni zadostna ali ni razpoložljiva; in
(b) izvajanje povezanih nalog iz člena 15.
2 Skladu HNS se v vsaki državi pogodbenici prizna status pravne osebe, ki po zakonih te države lahko prevzame pravice in obveznosti ter vlogo stranke v pravnih postopkih pred sodišči te države. Vsaka država pogodbenica prizna direktorja za zakonitega predstavnika Sklada HNS.

1 Pri izpolnjevanju svoje funkcije po členu 13(1)(a) Sklad HNS plača nadomestilo vsaki osebi, ki je utrpela škodo, če ta oseba ni mogla dobiti celotnega in ustreznega nadomestila za škodo skladno s poglavjem II:
(a) ker iz poglavja II ne izhaja odgovornost za škodo;
(b) ker je lastnik, ki je po poglavju II odgovoren za škodo, finančno nesposoben izpolniti obveznosti po tej konvenciji v celoti, in morebitno finančno jamstvo, ki se predloži po poglavju II, ne pokriva ali ne zadostuje za kritje odškodninskih zahtevkov; lastnik se obravnava kot finančno nesposoben za izpolnitev teh obveznosti in finančno jamstvo se obravnava kot nezadostno, če oseba, ki je utrpela škodo, ni mogla uveljaviti polne vsote pripadajočega ji nadomestila po poglavju II, potem ko je naredila vse potrebne korake v smislu izkoriščanja razpoložljivih zakonitih sredstev;
(c) ker škoda presega odgovornost lastnika po določbah poglavja II.
2 Razumno nastali stroški ali prostovoljne razumne žrtve lastnika, da bi preprečil ali kar se da zmanjšal škodo, se v tem členu obravnavajo kot škoda.
3 Sklad HNS nima nobene obveznosti iz predhodnih odstavkov, če:
(a) dokaže, da je škoda nastala zaradi vojne, sovražnosti, državljanske vojne ali upora, ali da so jo povzročile nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki so ušle ali jih je spustila vojna ladja ali druga ladja v lasti ali upravljanju države, in ki se je v času incidenta uporabljala samo v vladne nekomercialne namene; ali
(b) vlagatelj zahtevka ne more dokazati, da obstaja razumna verjetnost, da je škoda nastala zaradi incidenta, v katerega je bila vpletena ena ali več ladij.
4 Če Sklad HNS dokaže, da je škoda v celoti ali delno nastala zaradi dejanja ali opustitve nekega dejanja osebe, ki je utrpela škodo, z namenom, da se povzroči škoda, ali zaradi malomarnosti te osebe, se Sklad HNS lahko v celoti ali delno oprosti obveznosti do plačila nadomestila tej osebi. Sklad HNS se v vsakem primeru razbremeni do mere, do katere je bil oproščen lastnik po členu 7(3). Vendar pa ne obstaja nobena taka razbremenitev Sklada HNS glede preventivnih ukrepov.
5 (a) Razen, kadar je v pododstavku (b) predpisano drugače, je skupni znesek nadomestila, ki ga plača Sklad HNS po tem členu za kateri koli posamični incident, omejen tako, da celotna vsota tega zneska in vsak znesek dejansko izplačanega nadomestila za škodo po poglavju II v obsegu uporabe te konvencije skladno s členom 3 ne presega 250 milijonov obračunskih enot.
(b) Skupni znesek nadomestila, ki ga plača Sklad HNS po tem členu za škodo, ki nastane zaradi naravnega pojava izjemnega, neizogibnega in neukrotljivega značaja, ne presega 250 milijonov obračunskih enot.
(c) Morebitne obresti, ki se pripišejo skladu, ustanovljenem skladno s členom 9(3), se ne upoštevajo pri izračunu največjega nadomestila, ki ga plača Sklad HNS po tem členu.
(d) Zneski v tem členu se pretvorijo v državno valuto na podlagi vrednosti te valute s sklicem na posebno pravico črpanja na datum sklepa skupščine Sklada HNS o prvem datumu plačila nadomestila.
6 Kadar znesek ugotovljenih zahtevkov do Sklada HNS presega skupni znesek nadomestil za plačilo po odstavku 5, se razpoložljivi znesek razdeli tako, da je sorazmerje med katerim koli ugotovljenim zahtevkom in zneskom nadomestila, ki ga dejansko prejme vlagatelj zahtevka po tej konvenciji, enako za vse vlagatelje zahtevkov. Zahtevki v zvezi s smrtjo in telesno poškodbo imajo prednost pred drugimi zahtevki, razen ko skupna vsota takih zahtevkov presega dve tretjini celotnega zneska, opredeljenega skladno z odstavkom 5.
7 Skupščina Sklada HNS lahko sklene, da se, v izjemnih primerih, nadomestilo po tej konvenciji lahko plača tudi, če lastnik ni ustanovil sklada skladno s poglavjem II. V takih primerih se uporabi odstavek 5(d), kot je ustrezno.

Pri izpolnjevanju svoje funkcije po členu 13(1)(a) ima Sklad HNS naslednje naloge:
(a) preučevanje zahtevkov, vloženih zoper Sklad HNS;
(b) priprava ocene v obliki proračuna za vsako koledarsko leto, za:
izdatke:
(i) stroške in izdatke upravljanja Sklada v zadevnem letu in morebitni primanjkljaj iz poslovanja v preteklih letih; in
(ii) plačila, ki jih bo izvedel Sklad HNS v zadevnem letu;
prihodke:
(iii) presežke sredstev iz poslovanja v preteklih letih, vključno z morebitnimi obrestmi;
(iv) začetne prispevke, ki bodo plačani tekom leta;
(v) letne prispevke, po potrebi, za kritje proračunskega primanjkljaja; in
(vi) morebitne druge prihodke;
(c) ponuditi na zahtevo države pogodbenice pomoč, kot je potrebna zadevni državi, da takoj zagotovi ustrezno potrebno osebje, material in storitve, ki bodo državi omogočili sprejem ukrepov za preprečitev nastanka ali odpravo škode, nastale kot posledica incidenta, v zvezi s katerim se od Sklada HNS lahko zahteva, da plača nadomestilo po tej konvenciji; in
(d) zagotoviti pod pogoji, predpisanimi z internimi pravili, možnosti kreditiranja za izvajanje preventivnih ukrepov za preprečitev škode, ki nastane kot posledica konkretnega incidenta, v zvezi s katerim se od Sklada HNS lahko zahteva, da plača nadomestilo po tej konvenciji.

1 Sklad HNS ima splošni račun, ki je razdeljen na področja.
2 Sklad HNS ima, skladno s členom 19(3) in (4), tudi posebne račune za:
(a) nafto, skladno z opredelitvijo iz člena 1(5)(a)(i) (račun za nafto);
(b) utekočinjene zemeljske pline iz lahkih ogljikovodikov, kjer je osnovna sestavina metan (LNG) (račun za LNG); in
(c) utekočinjene naftne pline iz lahkih ogljikovodikov, kjer sta osnovni sestavini propan in butan (LPG) (račun za LPG).
3 Uvedejo se začetni prispevki in, po potrebi, letni prispevki v Sklad HNS.
4 Prispevki v Sklad HNS se vplačajo na splošni račun skladno s členom 18, na posebne račune skladno s členom 19, in na bodisi splošni račun bodisi posebne račune skladno s členoma 20 ali členom 21(5). Skladno s členom 19(6) se iz splošnega računa plačujejo nadomestila za škodo, ki jo povzročijo nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki se krijejo iz tega računa, iz posebnega računa pa se plačujejo nadomestila za škodo, ki jo povzročijo nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, ki se krijejo iz tega posebnega računa.
5 Za namene člena 18, člena 19(1)(a)(i) in (ii) ter (1)(c), člena 20 in člena 21(5), kadar količina neke vrste tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, ki ga na ozemlju države pogodbenice prevzame katera koli oseba v koledarskem letu, ob seštevku količin iste vrste tovora, ki ga na ozemlju iste države pogodbenice v tistem letu prevzame povezana oseba ali osebe, presega omejitev, navedeno v ustreznih pododstavkih, ta oseba plača prispevke za dejansko količino, ki jo je prevzela, ne glede na to, da količina ni presegla zadevne omejitve.
6 »Povezana oseba« pomeni katero kolo hčerinsko družbo ali skupno nadzorovan pravni subjekt. Vprašanje, ali je oseba zajeta v tej opredelitvi, se določi z nacionalno zakonodajo zadevne države.

1 Letni prispevki za splošni račun in za vsak posebni račun se pobirajo samo, kolikor je potrebno, za izplačila z zadevnega računa.
2 Skupščina opredeli letne prispevke, ki se plačajo skladno s členoma 18, 19 in členom 21(5), izračunajo pa se skladno z navedenimi členi na podlagi enot prevzetega tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, ali, za tovore iz člena 19(1)(b), raztovorjenega tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine.
3 Skupščina opredeli celotni znesek letnih prispevkov, ki se vplačajo na splošni račun in na vsak posebni račun. Na podlagi tega sklepa direktor izračuna po posameznih državah pogodbenicah za vsako osebo, ki je zavezana plačilu prispevkov skladno s členom 18, členom 19(1) in členom 21(5), znesek letnega prispevka za to osebo na vsak račun, na podlagi fiksnega zneska za vsako enoto prijavljenega tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za to osebo v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine. Za splošni račun se zgoraj naveden fiksni znesek na enoto tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za vsako področje izračuna skladno s predpisi iz Priloge II k tej konvenciji. Za vsak posebni račun se zgoraj naveden fiksni znesek na enoto tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, izračuna tako, da se celotni letni prispevek za plačilo na zadevni račun deli s celotno količino tovora, ki prispeva k temu računu.
4 Skupščina lahko predpiše tudi letne prispevke za stroške upravljanja in sprejme sklep o delitvi takih stroškov med področja splošnega računa in posebnih računov.
5 Skupščina prav tako odloča o delitvi zneskov, izplačanih kot nadomestila za škodo, ki jo povzročita dve ali več snovi, zajete v različnih računih ali področjih, med ustrezne račune in sektorje, na podlagi ocene obsega, v katerem je vsaka od vpletenih snovi prispevala k nastali škodi.

1 Za vsako državo pogodbenico, plača letne prispevke na splošni račun skladno s členom 16(5) vsaka oseba, ki je v zadevni državi v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine, prejemnik skupne količine tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, ki presega 20 000 ton, razen snovi iz člena 19(1), ki spadajo na naslednja področja:
(a) trdni tovori v razsutem stanju iz člena 1(5)(a)(vii);
(b) snovi iz odstavka 2; in
(c) druge snovi.
2 Letne prispevke na splošni račun plačajo tudi osebe, ki bi morale plačati prispevke na posebni račun skladno s členom 19(1), če poslovanje s tem računom ne bi bilo odloženo ali ustavljeno skladno s členom 19. Vsak posebni račun, s katerim je bilo poslovanje odloženo ali ustavljeno po členu 19, predstavlja posebno področje na splošnem računu.

1 Skladno s členom 16(5) vsaka država pogodbenica plača letne prispevke na posebne račune:
(a) za račun za nafto,
(i) vsaka oseba, ki je v zadevni državi v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine, prejela skupno količino več kot 150 000 ton prispele nafte, skladno z opredelitvijo iz člena 1(3) Mednarodne konvencije o ustanovitvi Mednarodnega sklada za povrnitev škode, nastale zaradi onesnaženja z nafto, 1971, skladno s spremembami, in ki je ali bi bila zavezana plačilu prispevkov v Mednarodni sklad za povrnitev škode, nastale zaradi onesnaženja z nafto skladno s členom 10 navedene konvencije; in
(ii) vsaka oseba, ki je bila v zadevni državi v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine, prejemnik skupne količine več kot 20 000 ton druge nafte, ki se prevaža v razsutem stanju, iz Dodatka I k Prilogi I k Mednarodni konvenciji o preprečevanju onesnaževanja morja z ladij, 1973, kakor je bila spremenjena z zadevnim Protokolom iz leta 1978, skladno s spremembami;
(b) v primeru LNG računa, vsaka oseba, ki je bila v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine, neposredno pred raztovarjanjem, lastnica tovora LNG, raztovorjenega v pristanišču ali terminalu te države;
(c) v primeru LPG računa, vsaka oseba, ki je bila v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine, v navedeni državi prejemnik LNG v skupni količini, ki presega 20 000 ton.
2 Skladno z odstavkom 3 se posebni računi iz odstavka 1 zgoraj začnejo voditi sočasno kot splošni račun.
3 Začetno poslovanje s posebnim računom iz člena 16(2) se odloži, dokler količine tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za navedeni račun v predhodnem koledarskem letu ali drugem letu, skladno s sklepom skupščine, ne presežejo naslednjih vrednosti:
(a) 350 milijonov ton tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za račun za nafto;
(b) 20 milijonov ton tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za račun za LNG; in
(c) 15 milijonov ton tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za račun za LPG.
4 Skupščina lahko ustavi poslovanje s posebnim računom, če:
(a) količine tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za ta račun v predhodnem koledarskem letu padejo pod ustrezno raven iz odstavka 3; ali
(b) ko po preteku šest mesecev od datuma zapadlosti prispevkov skupni neplačani prispevki za ta račun presegajo deset odstotkov zadnje terjatve za ta račun skladno z odstavkom 1.
5 Skupščina lahko obnovi poslovanje s posebnim računom, ki je bilo ustavljeno skladno z odstavkom 4.
6 Katera koli oseba, ki bi bila zavezana plačilu prispevkov na posebni račun, s katerim je bilo poslovanje odloženo skladno z odstavkom 3 ali ustavljeno skladno z odstavkom 4, plača zapadle prispevke za zadevni posebni račun na splošni račun. Za izračun prihodnjih prispevkov, odloženi ali ustavljeni posebni račun predstavlja novo področje na splošnem računu in zanj velja točkovni sistem HNS iz Priloge II.

1 Za vsako državo pogodbenico velja, da se plačajo začetni prispevki v znesku, ki se za vsako osebo, ki je zavezana plačevanju prispevkov skladno s členom 16(5), členoma 18, 19 in členom 21(5), izračuna na podlagi fiksnega zneska, ki je enak za splošni račun in vsak posebni račun, za vsako enoto tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, ali, v primeru LNG, raztovorjenega tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, v navedeni državi, v koledarskem letu pred koledarskim letom, v katerem v navedeni državi začne veljati ta konvencija.
2 Fiksni znesek in enote za različna področja na splošnem računu kakor tudi za vsak posebni račun iz odstavka 1 opredeli skupščina.
3 Začetni prispevki se plačajo v treh mesecih po datumu, na katerega Sklad HNS za vsako državo pogodbenico izda račune za plačilo za osebe, zavezane plačevanju prispevkov skladno z odstavkom 1.

1 Vsaka država pogodbenica zagotovi, da je vsaka oseba, ki je zavezana plačevanju prispevkov skladno s členoma 18, 19 ali odstavkom 5 tega člena, navedena na seznamu, ki ga pripravi in redno vodi direktor skladno z določbami tega člena.
2 Za namene iz odstavka 1 vsaka država pogodbenica direktorju sporoči v roku in na način, ki sta predpisana z internim pravilnikom Sklada HNS, ime in naslov vsake osebe, ki je zavezana plačevanju prispevkov za zadevno državo skladno s členoma 18, 19 ali odstavkom 5 tega člena, kakor tudi podatke o ustreznih količinah tovora, za katerega mora taka oseba plačati prispevke za predhodno koledarsko leto.
3 Za namene ugotavljanja, kdo so, v katerem koli času, osebe, ki so zavezane plačevanju prispevkov skladno s členoma 18, 19 ali odstavkom 5 tega člena, ter ugotavljanja, kadar je ustrezno, količin tovora, ki se upoštevajo za vsako tako osebo pri opredeljevanju zneska prispevka, pomeni seznam zadosten dokaz v njem navedenih dejstev.
4 Kadar država pogodbenica ne izpolni svojih obveznosti glede sporočanja informacij iz odstavka 2 direktorju in ima to za posledico finančno izgubo Sklada HNS, ima ta država pogodbenica odgovornost, da Skladu HNS povrne nastalo izgubo. Skupščina, na priporočilo direktorja, sprejme sklep o tem, ali naj država pogodbenica plača tako nadomestilo.
5 Za tovor, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, ki se prevaža iz enega pristanišča ali terminala države pogodbenice v drugo pristanišče ali terminal v isti državi za tamkajšnje raztovarjanje, imajo države pogodbenice možnosti, da Skladu HNS predložijo poročilo o letni skupni količini za vsak račun, kar zajema vse prevzeme tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, vključno z morebitnimi količinami, za katere se plačujejo prispevki skladno s členom 16(5). Ob sporočilu država pogodbenica bodisi:
(a) obvesti Sklad HNS, da bo ta država Skladu HNS plačala skupni znesek za vsak račun za ustrezno leto v enem pavšalnem znesku; bodisi
(b) izda navodilo Skladu HNS, da izterja skupni znesek za vsak račun tako, da posamičnim prejemnikom ali, v primeru LNG, lastniku, ki raztovarja na območju pristojnosti te države pogodbenice, izstavi račune za plačilo za zneske, ki jih mora plačati vsak od njih. Te osebe se opredelijo skladno z nacionalno zakonodajo te države.

1 Za znesek vsakega prispevka za plačilo po členih 18, 19, 20 ali členu 21(5), ki je v zaostanku, se zaračunajo obresti po stopnji, ki se opredeli skladno z internim pravilnikom Sklada HNS, če se lahko v različnih okoliščinah predpišejo različne stopnje.
2 Kadar oseba, ki je zavezana plačevanju prispevkov skladno s členi 18, 19, 20 ali členom 21(5), ne izpolni obveznosti v zvezi s katerim koli takim prispevkom ali delom prispevka in je v zaostanku, direktor proti osebi v imenu HNS Sklada sproži vse potrebne postopke, vključno s sodnim postopkom, za izterjavo zapadlega zneska. Vendar, kadar je očitno, da je prispevajoča stranka, ki ne izpolnjuje obveznosti, nelikvidna ali če okoliščine to opravičujejo kako drugače, lahko skupščina, na priporočilo direktorja, sklene, da se proti prispevajoči osebi ne sprožijo ali nadaljujejo nobeni postopki.

1 Brez vpliva na člen 21(5) lahko država pogodbenica kadar koli, ko deponira svojo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu, ali kadar koli kasneje, izjavi, da prevzema odgovornost za obveznosti iz te konvencije za katero koli osebo, ki je zavezana plačevanju prispevkov skladno s členi 18, 19, 20 ali členom 21(5) za nevarne in zdravju škodljive snovi, prevzete ali raztovorjene na ozemlju te države. Taka izjava se da v pisni obliki in navaja, katere odgovornosti se prevzamejo.
2 Kadar se izjava iz odstavka 1 da pred začetkom veljavnosti te konvencije skladno s členom 46, se deponira pri generalnem sekretarju, ki jo po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije pošlje direktorju.
3 Izjava po odstavku 1, ki se da po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije, se deponira pri direktorju.
4 Država lahko umakne izjavo, ki jo je dala skladno s tem členom, tako da o tem pisno obvesti direktorja. Tako obvestilo začne veljati tri mesece po tem, ko ga je direktor prejel.
5 Vsaka država, ki je zavezana z izjavo, dano po tem členu, se v vseh postopkih, ki se sprožijo proti njej pred pristojnim sodiščem v zvezi z obveznostmi, navedenimi v izjavi, odreče imuniteti, ki bi jo sicer lahko uveljavila.

Sklad HNS ima skupščino in sekretariat, ki ga vodi direktor.

Skupščino sestavljajo vse države pogodbenice te konvencije.

Skupščina ima naslednje funkcije:
(a) na vsaki redni seji izvoli predsednika in dva podpredsednika, ki ostanejo na teh položajih do naslednje redne seje;
(b) skladno z določbami te konvencije določi svoj poslovnik;
(c) oblikuje, uporablja in pregleduje ustreznost internih in finančnih predpisov v zvezi z nameni Sklada HNS, kot so opisani v členu 13(1)(a), in povezanih nalog Sklada HNS iz člena 15;
(d) imenuje direktorja in ustvarja pogoje za imenovanje ustreznega drugega osebja, po potrebi, ter opredeljuje pogoje zaposlitve direktorja in drugega osebja;
(e) sprejme letni proračun, ki se pripravi skladno s členom 15(b);
(f) preuči in po potrebi odobri morebitna priporočila direktorja v zvezi z obsegom opredelitve tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek;
(g) imenuje revizorje in odobri računovodska poročila Sklada HNS;
(h) odobri poravnave zahtevkov do Sklada HNS, sprejema sklepe v zvezi z razdelitvijo razpoložljivega zneska za nadomestila med vlagatelje zahtevkov skladno s členom 14 ter opredeljuje pogoje za izplačilo začasnih plačil v zvezi z zahtevki, z namenom zagotavljanja čim prejšnjega plačila nadomestil oškodovancem;
(i) ustanovi Odbor za zahtevke za nadomestila z najmanj sedmimi in največ 15 člani ter vse potrebne začasne ali stalne podrejene organe, opredeli njegove naloge in odgovornosti ter mu izda potrebna pooblastila za izvajanje funkcij, ki so mu zaupane; ob imenovanju članov takega organa skuša skupščina zagotoviti enakovredno geografsko porazdelitev članov in zagotoviti ustrezno zastopanost držav pogodbenic; za delo takega podrejenega organa se, s potrebnimi spremembami, lahko uporabi poslovnik skupščine;
(j) opredeli, katere države, ki niso pogodbenice te konvencije, katere pridružene pogodbenice Organizacije in katere medvladne in mednarodne nevladne organizacije se pripustijo, brez pravic glasovanja, k udeležbi na sejah skupščine in podrejenih organov;
(k) izdaja navodila direktorju in podrejenim organom v zvezi z upravljanjem Sklada HNS;
(l) nadzoruje pravilno izvajanje te konvencije in svojih sklepov;
(m) vsakih pet let naredi pregled izvajanja te konvencije s posebnim poudarkom na uspešnosti delovanja sistema za izračun dajatev in mehanizma prispevkov za domačo trgovino; in
(n) opravlja druge funkcije, ki ji jih nalaga ta konvencija ali ki so sicer nujne za pravilno poslovanje Sklada HNS.

1 Redne seje skupščine potekajo enkrat v vsakem koledarskem letu na sklic direktorja.
2 Izredne seje skupščine skliče direktor na zahtevo najmanj ene tretjine članic skupščine in se lahko skličejo na lastno pobudo direktorja po posvetu s predsednikom skupščine. Direktor obvesti članice o takih sejah najmanj 30 dni vnaprej.

Za sklepčnost sej skupščine zadošča večina članic skupščine.

1 Sekretariat obsega direktorja in drugo ustrezno potrebno osebje za upravljanje Sklada HNS.
2 Direktor je zakoniti predstavnik Sklada HNS.

1 Direktor je glavni upravni uradnik Sklada HNS. Skladno z navodili skupščine direktor opravlja tiste funkcije, ki jih direktorju nalagajo ta konvencija, interni pravilnik Sklada HNS in skupščina.
2 Direktor zlasti:
(a) imenuje potrebno osebje za upravljanje Sklada HNS;
(b) izvede vse potrebne ukrepe za pravilno upravljanje s sredstvi Sklada HNS;
(c) pobira prispevke za plačilo po tej konvenciji, pri čemer zlasti upošteva določbe člena 22(2);
(d) do potrebne mere rešuje zahtevke do Sklada HNS in izvaja druge funkcije Sklada HNS, najema storitve pravnih, finančnih in drugih strokovnjakov;
(e) izvede vse ustrezne ukrepe za reševanje zahtevkov do Sklada HNS, v mejah in pod pogoji, ki se predpišejo v internem pravilniku Sklada HNS, vključno s končno poravnavo zahtevkov brez predhodne odobritve skupščine, kadar je tako predpisano s pravilnikom;
(f) pripravi in skupščini predloži finančna poročila in ocene proračuna za vsako koledarsko leto;
(g) pripravi, v posvetu s predsednikom skupščine, in objavi poročilo o dejavnostih Sklada HNS v predhodnem koledarskem letu; in
(h) pripravi, zbere in razpošilja okrožnice dokumentov in informacij, ki jih utegnejo za svoje delo potrebovati skupščina in podrejeni organi.

Pri opravljanju svojih dolžnosti direktor in osebje ter strokovnjaki, ki jih imenuje direktor, ne smejo prositi za navodila niti prejeti navodil od katere koli vlade ali katerega koli organa izven Sklada HNS. Ne smejo delovati na način, ki bi negativno vplival na njihov položaj mednarodnih uradnikov. Vsaka država pogodbenica se zase zaveže, da bo spoštovala izključno mednarodni značaj odgovornosti direktorja in osebja ter strokovnjakov, ki jih imenuje direktor, in da ne bo skušala vplivati nanje pri izvajanju njihovih dolžnosti.

1 Vsaka država pogodbenica krije plačo, potne in druge stroške svoje delegacije v skupščini in svojih predstavnikov v podrejenih organih.
2 Vsi drugi stroški, ki nastanejo pri poslovanju Sklada HNS, se krijejo iz Sklada HNS.

Za glasovanje v skupščini se uporabljajo naslednje določbe:
(a) vsaka članica ima po en glas;
(b) razen, kadar je s členom 34 predpisano drugače, se sklepi skupščine sprejemajo z večino glasov članic, ki so prisotne in glasujejo;
(c) sklepi, za katere se zahteva dvotretjinska večina, se sprejmejo z dvotretjinsko večino prisotnih članic; in
(d) v tem členu izraz »prisotne članice« pomeni »članice, ki so prisotne na seji ob času glasovanja«, in izraz »članice, ki so prisotne in glasujejo« pomeni »članice, ki so prisotne in se izrečejo za ali proti«. Članice, ki se vzdržijo glasovanja, se obravnavajo, kot da niso glasovale.

Naslednji sklepi skupščine se sprejemajo z dvotretjinsko večino:
(a) sklep po členu 19(4) ali (5) o ustavitvi poslovanja ali obnovitvi poslovanja s posebnim računom;
(b) sklep po členu 22(2) o tem, da se proti prispevajoči osebi ne sproži ali nadaljuje postopek;
(c) imenovanje direktorja po členu 26(d);
(d) ustanovitev podrejenih organov, po členu 26(i), in zadeve, povezane s tako ustanovitvijo; in
(e) sklep po členu 51(a), da ta konvencija še naprej ostane v veljavi.

1 Sklad HNS, njegova sredstva, prihodki, vključno s prispevki, in drugo potrebno premoženje za izvajanje njegovih funkcij, skladno z opisom iz člena 13(1), je v vseh državah pogodbenicah oproščeno vseh neposrednih obdavčitev.
2 Kadar Sklad HNS izvede obsežno nabavo premoženja v obliki premičnin ali nepremičnin, ali storitev, ki so potrebne za izvajanje njegovih uradnih dejavnosti za dosego namenov iz člena 13(1), pri čemer strošek vključuje posredne davke ali prometne davke, sprejmejo vlade držav pogodbenic, kadar je le mogoče, ustrezne ukrepe za oprostitev plačila ali povračilo zneska takih davkov in dajatev. Tako pridobljeno blago se ne proda proti plačilu ali odda brezplačno, razen skladno s pogoji, ki jih odobri vlada države, ki je odobrila ali pristala na oprostitev plačila ali povračilo.
3 Za dajatve, davke ali pristojbine, ki so zgolj plačilo za storitve javnih podjetij, se ne odobri nobena oprostitev.
4 Sklad HNS je oproščen vseh carinskih dajatev, davkov in drugih povezanih davkov za predmete, ki jih uvozi ali izvozi ali ki se uvozijo ali izvozijo zanj za njegovo uradno uporabo. Tako uvoženi predmeti se ne morejo prenesti bodisi proti nadomestilu bodisi brezplačno na ozemlju države, v katero so bili uvoženi, razen skladno s pogoji, ki jih odobri vlada te države.
5 Za osebe, ki prispevajo v Sklad HNS, kakor tudi za žrtve in lastnike, ki prejmejo nadomestilo iz Sklada HNS, velja finančna zakonodaja države, v kateri so davčni zavezanci, in jim tozadevno ne pripada nobena posebna oprostitev ali drugo nadomestilo.
6 Ne glede na obstoječe ali prihodnje predpise glede valut ali prenosov, države pogodbenice odobrijo prenos in plačilo vsakega prispevka v Sklad HNS in vsakega nadomestila, ki ga plača Sklad HNS, brez vsakršne omejitve.

Informacije v zvezi s posamičnimi prispevajočimi osebami, predložene za namene te konvencije, se ne izdajo izven Sklada HNS, razen če je nujno za izvajanje funkcij Sklada HNS, vključno z vloženimi tožbami ali obrambo v sodnih postopkih.

1 Pravice do nadomestila po poglavju II prenehajo, če se ne vloži tozadevna tožba v treh letih od datuma, ko je oseba, ki je utrpela škodo, izvedela ali bi razumno morala izvedeti za nastalo škodo in za identiteto lastnika.
2 Pravice do nadomestila po poglavju III prenehajo, če se ne vloži zadevna tožba ali, če ni podano obvestilo po členu 39(7), v treh letih od datuma, ko je oseba, ki je utrpela škodo, izvedela ali bi razumno morala izvedeti za nastalo škodo.
3 V nobenem primeru pa ni mogoče vložiti tožbe kasneje kot 10 let od datuma incidenta, ki je povzročil škodo.
4 Kadar je incident sestavljen iz niza dogodkov, se 10-letno obdobje iz odstavka 3 nanaša na datum zadnjega takega dogodka.

1 Kadar incident povzroči škodo na ozemlju, vključno s teritorialnim morjem ali na območju iz člena 3(b), ene ali več držav pogodbenic, ali kadar se izvedejo preventivni ukrepi za preprečitev ali kar največje zmanjšanje škode na tem ozemlju, vključno s teritorialnim morjem ali na takem območju, se lahko tožbe za nadomestilo zoper lastnika ali drugo osebo, ki je predložila finančno jamstvo za odgovornost lastnika, vložijo samo pri sodiščih teh držav pogodbenic.
2 Kadar incident povzroči škodo izključno izven ozemlja, vključno s teritorialnim morjem, katere koli države in so bodisi izpolnjeni pogoji za uporabo te konvencije iz člena 3(c) bodisi so bili izvedeni preventivni ukrepi za preprečevanje ali kar največje zmanjšanje škode, se lahko tožbe za nadomestilo zoper lastnika ali drugo osebo, ki je predložila finančno jamstvo za odgovornost lastnika, vložijo samo pri sodiščih:
(a) države pogodbenice, v kateri je ladja vpisana v register, ali, v primeru ladje, ki ni vpisana v register, države pogodbenice, za katero ima ladja pravico, da pluje pod njeno zastavo; ali
(b) države pogodbenice, kjer ima lastnik svoje običajno bivališče ali kjer ima podjetje lastnika svoj sedež; ali
(c) države pogodbenice, kjer je ustanovljen sklad po členu 9(3).
3 Tožena stranka se v razumnem času obvesti o morebitni vloženi tožbi po odstavku 1 ali 2.
4 Vsaka država pogodbenica zagotovi, da imajo njena sodišča pristojnost za obravnavo tožb za nadomestila po tej konvenciji.
5 Potem ko je lastnik ali zavarovalnica ali druga oseba, ki je predložila finančno jamstvo skladno s členom 12, ustanovil sklad po členu 9, imajo sodišča države, v kateri je ta sklad ustanovljen, izključno pristojnost za opredelitev vseh zadev v zvezi z dodelitvijo in razdelitvijo sklada.

1 Skladno z nadaljnjimi določbami tega člena se vsaka tožba, ki se vloži proti Skladu HNS za nadomestilo po členu 14, vloži samo pri sodišču, ki je po členu 38 pristojno za tožbe, vložene proti lastniku, ki je odgovoren za škodo, nastalo zaradi ustreznega incidenta, ali pri sodišču države pogodbenice, ki bi bilo pristojno v primeru odgovornosti lastnika.
2 Če se ne ugotovi identitete ladje, ki je prevažala nevarne ali zdravju škodljive snovi, ki so povzročile škodo, se za tožbe proti Skladu HNS smiselno uporabijo določbe člena 38(1).
3 Vsaka država pogodbenica zagotovi, da imajo njena sodišča pristojnost za obravnavo takih tožb zoper Sklad HNS iz odstavka 1.
4 Kadar se na sodišču vloži tožba proti lastniku ali poroku lastnika, ima to sodišče izključno pristojnost za vse tožbe proti Skladu HNS za nadomestilo za to škodo po določbah člena 14.
5 Vsaka država pogodbenica zagotovi, da ima Sklad HNS pravico, da se pridruži kot stranski intervenient v katerem koli sodnem postopku, ki se skladno s to konvencijo sproži pred pristojnim sodiščem te države proti lastniku ali poroku lastnika.
6 Razen kadar je z odstavkom 7 predpisano drugače, Sklad HNS ni zavezan nobeni sodbi ali sklepu v sodnem postopku, v katerem ni bil udeležen kot stranka, ali kateri koli poravnavi, v kateri ni udeležen kot stranka.
7 Brez vpliva na določbe odstavka 5, kadar se pri pristojnem sodišču v državi pogodbenici vloži tožba po tej konvenciji za nadomestilo škode proti lastniku ali poroku lastnika, ima vsaka stranka v sodnem postopku po nacionalnem pravu te države pravico, da o sodnem postopku obvesti Sklad HNS. Če je bilo tako obvestilo izdelano skladno s formalnostmi, ki se zahtevajo po pravu sodišča, ki obravnava primer, in v takem roku in na način, da Sklad HNS dejansko ni imel možnosti, da se učinkovito pridruži kot stranski intervenient v sodnem postopku, postane vsaka morebitna sodba, ki jo izreče sodišče v tem sodnem postopku, potem ko postane dokončna in izvršljiva v državi, v kateri je bila sodba izrečena, zavezujoča za Sklad HNS v smislu, da Sklad HNS ne sme izpodbijati dejstev in ugotovitev v tej sodbi, tudi če se Sklad HNS dejansko ni vmešal v sodni postopek.

1 Vsaka sodba, ki jo izreče sodišče s pristojnostjo skladno s členom 38, ki je izvršljiva v državi izvora, ko v njej ni več predmet rednih pravnih sredstev, se prizna v vseh državah pogodbenicah, razen:
(a) kadar je bila sodba pridobljena z goljufijo; ali
(b) kadar tožena stranka ni bila obveščena v razumnem času in ni imela poštene možnosti, da predstavi primer.
2 Sodba, ki se prizna po odstavku 1, postane izvršljiva v vsaki državi pogodbenici, takoj ko so izpolnjene zahtevane formalnosti v tej državi. Formalnosti ne smejo preprečiti ponovne obravnave argumentov primera.
3 Skladno s sklepom glede razdelitve iz člena 14(6) se vsaka sodba, ki jo je proti Skladu HNS izreklo sodišče s pristojnostjo skladno s členom 39(1) in (3), ko postane izvršljiva v državi izvora in v tej državi ni več predmet običajnih oblik revizije, prizna in se lahko uveljavi v vsaki državi pogodbenici.

1 Za vsak znesek nadomestila za škodo, ki ga izplača Sklad HNS skladno s členom 14(1), Sklad HNS po načelu subrogacije pridobi pravice osebe, ki bi jih ta oseba, ki ji je bilo izplačano nadomestilo, imela do lastnika ali poroka lastnika.
2 Nič v tej konvenciji ne posega v katere koli regresne pravice Sklada HNS ali pravice do subrogacije proti kateri koli osebi, vključno z osebami iz člena 7(2)(d), razen tistih iz predhodnega odstavka, če lahko omejijo svojo odgovornost. V nobenem primeru pa pravica Sklada HNS do subrogacije proti takim osebam ne sme biti manj ugodna od tiste, ki jo ima zavarovalnica osebe, ki ji je bilo izplačano nadomestilo.
3 Brez poseganja v vse katere koli druge obstoječe pravice do subrogacije ali regresa proti Skladu HNS, država pogodbenica ali njen zastopnik, ki je plačal nadomestilo za škodo skladno z določbami nacionalne zakonodaje, po načelu subrogacije pridobi pravice osebe, ki bi jih po tej konvenciji imela oseba, ki ji je bilo plačano nadomestilo.

Ta konvencija nadomesti vse morebitne veljavne konvencije ali konvencije, ki so odprte za podpis, ratifikacijo ali pristop na datum, na katerega je ta konvencija odprta za podpis, vendar samo do mere, do katere bi bila taka konvencija v nasprotju z njo; vendar pa nič v tem členu ne vpliva na obveznosti držav pogodbenic, ki izhajajo iz take konvencije, do držav, ki niso pogodbenice te konvencije.

Ob deponiranju listine iz člena 45(3) in vsako leto zatem do začetka veljavnosti te konvencije za neko državo, ta država generalnemu sekretarju predloži podatke o ustreznih količinah prevzetega ali, v primeru LNG, raztovorjenega tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, v tej državi v predhodnem koledarskem letu za splošni račun in za vsak posebni račun.

Generalni sekretar skliče prvo sejo skupščine. Ta seja se skliče čim prej po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije in, v vsakem primeru, najkasneje 30 dni po takem začetku veljavnosti.

1 Ta konvencija bo odprta za podpis na sedežu Organizacije od 1. oktobra 1996 do 30. septembra 1997, po tem datumu pa ostane odprta za pristop.
2 Države lahko izrazijo svojo privolitev glede sprejema obveznosti iz te konvencije s:
(a) podpisom brez pridržka glede ratifikacije, sprejetja ali odobritve; ali
(b) podpisom, ob pogoju ratifikacije, sprejetja ali odobritve, čemur sledi ratifikacija, sprejetje ali odobritev; ali
(c) pristopom.
3 Ratifikacija, sprejetje ali odobritev se izvede z deponiranjem ustrezne listine pri generalnem sekretarju.

1 Ta konvencija začne veljati 18 mesecev po datumu, na katerega so izpolnjeni naslednji pogoji:
(a) najmanj 12 držav, vključno s štirimi državami, od katerih ima vsaka najmanj 2 milijona enot bruto tonaže, je izrazilo svojo privolitev glede sprejema obveznosti iz te konvencije, in
(b) generalni sekretar je skladno s členom 43 prejel informacije, da so osebe v teh državah, ki bi bile zavezane plačevanju prispevkov po členu 18(1)(a) in (c), v predhodnem koledarskem letu prevzele skupno količino najmanj 40 milijonov ton tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek na splošni račun.
2 Za državo, ki izrazi svojo privolitev glede sprejema obveznosti iz te konvencije po izpolnitvi pogojev za začetek veljavnosti, začne veljati taka privolitev tri mesece po datumu, ko je bila izražena, ali, kar je kasneje, na datum, na katerega začne veljati ta konvencija skladno z odstavkom 1.

1 Organizacija lahko skliče konferenco za namene revizije ali spremembe te konvencije.
2 Generalni sekretar skliče konferenco držav pogodbenic te konvencije za revizijo ali spremembo Konvencije, na zahtevo šestih držav pogodbenic ali ene tretjine držav pogodbenic, kar je več.
3 Vsaka morebitna privolitev glede sprejema obveznosti iz te konvencije, ki se izrazi po datumu začetka veljavnosti spremembe te konvencije, velja za spremenjeno konvencijo.

1 Brez poseganja v določbe člena 48 se posebni postopek iz tega člena uporablja samo za spremembe omejitev iz člena 9(1) in člena 14(5).
2 Na zahtevo najmanj polovice, vendar v nobenem primeru manj kot šestih držav pogodbenic, generalni sekretar za vsak predlog o spremembi omejitev iz člena 9(1), in člena 14(5), izda okrožnico vsem članicam Organizacije in vsem državam pogodbenicam.
3 Vsaka predlagana sprememba, za katero je bila izdana okrožnica skladno z gornjim opisom, se predloži v obravnavo Pravnemu odboru Organizacije (Pravni odbor) najmanj šest mesecev po datumu izdaje okrožnice.
4 Vse države pogodbenice, ne glede na to, ali so članice Organizacije ali ne, imajo pravico do sodelovanja v postopkih Pravnega odbora za obravnavo in sprejetje sprememb.
5 Spremembe se sprejmejo z dvotretjinsko večino držav pogodbenic, ki so prisotne in glasujejo v Pravnem odboru, razširjenem skladno z določbami odstavka 4, če je ob času glasovanja prisotna najmanj polovica držav pogodbenic.
6 Pri obravnavah predlogov o spremembi omejitev Pravni odbor upošteva izkušnje pri incidentov in zlasti višino škode, ki je pri tem nastala, spremembe v denarnih vrednostih ter učinek predlagane spremembe na stroške zavarovanja. Prav tako upošteva tudi medsebojno razmerje med uveljavljenimi omejitvami iz člena 9(1) in tistimi iz člena 14(5).
7 (a) Nobena sprememba omejitev po tem členu se ne sme obravnavati prej kot pet let od datuma, ko je bila ta konvencija dana na voljo za podpis, niti prej kot pet let od datuma začetka veljavnosti predhodne spremembe po tem členu.
(b) Nobena omejitev se ne sme zvišati tako, da preseže znesek, ki ustreza omejitvi, predpisani s to konvencijo, povečani za šest odstotkov letno, ob uporabi obrestno obrestnega računa od datuma, ko je bila ta konvencija dana na voljo za podpis.
(c) Nobena omejitev se ne sme zvišati tako, da preseže znesek, ki ustreza omejitvi, predpisani s to konvencijo, pomnoženi s tri.
8 O vsaki spremembi, ki se sprejme skladno z odstavkom 5, Organizacija obvesti vse države pogodbenice. Velja, da je sprememba sprejeta ob izteku obdobja 18 mesecev po datumu uradne obvestitve, razen če v tem obdobju najmanj ena četrtina držav, ki so bile države pogodbenice v času sprejetja spremembe, obvesti generalnega sekretarja, da spremembe ne sprejemajo. V tem primeru se sprememba zavrne in nima učinka.
9 Sprememba, za katero velja, da je bila sprejeta skladno z odstavkom 8, začne veljati 18 mesecev po tem, ko je bila sprejeta.
10 Sprememba postane zavezujoča za vse države pogodbenice, razen če odpovejo to konvencijo skladno s členom 49(1) in (2), najmanj šest mesecev pred začetkom veljavnosti spremembe. Taka odpoved ima učinek z začetkom veljavnosti spremembe.
11 Kadar se sprememba sprejme, vendar se 18-mesečno obdobje za njeno sprejetje še ni izteklo, je država, ki postane država pogodbenica v tem obdobju, zavezana spremembi, če slednja začne veljati. Država, ki postane država pogodbenica po tem obdobju, je zavezana spremembi, ki je bila sprejeta skladno z odstavkom 8. V primerih iz tega odstavka začne veljati sprememba za državo z začetkom veljavnosti spremembe, ali z začetkom veljavnosti te konvencije za to državo, če se slednje zgodi kasneje.

1 Katera koli država pogodbenica lahko odpove to konvencijo kadar koli po datumu, ko začne veljati za to državo pogodbenico.
2 Odpoved se izvede z deponiranjem listine o odpovedi pri generalnem sekretarju.
3 Odpoved ima učinek 12 mesecev ali še kasneje, skladno z morebitno navedbo v listini o odpovedi, po njenem deponiranju pri generalnem sekretarju.
4 Ne glede na odpoved države pogodbenice po tem členu se še naprej uporabljajo vse določbe te konvencije glede obveznosti plačevanja prispevkov po členih 18, 19 ali členu 21(5) za plačila nadomestil, skladno s sklepi skupščine, v zvezi z incidenti, ki se zgodijo preden odpoved začne učinkovati.

1 Katera koli država pogodbenica lahko v 90 dneh po tem, ko je bila deponirana listina o odpovedi, zaradi katere se bo po njenem mnenju bistveno zvišala raven prispevkov za preostale države pogodbenice, od direktorja zahteva, da skliče izredno sejo skupščine. Direktor skliče skupščino, ki se sestane najmanj 60 dni po prejemu zahteve.
2 Direktor lahko prevzame pobudo in skliče izredno sejo skupščine, ki se sestane v 60 dneh po tem, ko je bil deponiran kateri koli instrument odpovedi, če direktor meni, da bo taka odpoved povzročila bistveno zvišanje ravni prispevkov za preostale države pogodbenice.
3 Če skupščina na izredni seji, ki se skliče skladno z odstavkom 1 ali 2, sklene, da bo odpoved povzročila bistveno zvišanje ravni prispevkov za preostale države pogodbenice, lahko vsaka taka država najkasneje 120 dni pred datumom začetka učinkovanja odpovedi, odpove to konvencijo z učinkom od istega datuma dalje.

1 Ta konvencija preneha veljati:
(a) na datum, ko število držav pogodbenic pade pod šest; ali
(b) 12 mesecev po datumu, na katerega se skladno s členom 21 direktorju sporočijo podatki za predhodno koledarsko leto, če ti podatki kažejo, da je bila celotna količina tovora, ki prispeva na splošni račun skladno s členom 18(1)(a) in (c), prevzetega v državah pogodbenicah v tem predhodnem koledarskem letu, manj kot 30 milijonov ton.
Ne glede na (b), če je bila celotna količina tovora, ki prispeva na splošni račun skladno s členom 18(1)(a) in (c), prevzetega v državah pogodbenicah v tem predhodnem koledarskem letu, manj kot 30 milijonov ton, vendar več kot 25 milijonov ton, lahko skupščina, če meni, da je bila to posledica izrednih razmer in da ni verjetno, da bi se to ponovilo, pred iztekom zgoraj navedenega 12-mesečnega obdobja sklene, da Konvencija ostane v veljavi. Vendar skupščina ne sme sprejeti takega sklepa več kot dve leti zapored.
2 Države, za katere velja ta Konvencija na dan pred datumom prenehanja njene veljavnosti, omogočijo Skladu HNS, da opravlja svoje funkcije skladno z opisom iz člena 52, in ostajajo, samo za ta namen, zavezane tej konvenciji.

1 Če ta konvencija preneha veljati, Sklad HNS kljub temu:
(a) izpolni svoje obveznosti za vsak incident, ki se je zgodil pred prenehanjem veljavnosti te konvencije; in
(b) ima pravico, da uveljavi svoje pravice do prispevkov, če so ti prispevki nujni za izpolnitev obveznosti po (a), vključno s potrebnimi stroški za upravljanje Sklada HNS v ta namen.
2 Skupščina izvede vse ustrezne ukrepe, da dokonča likvidacijo Sklada HNS, vključno s pravično razdelitvijo preostalih sredstev med tiste osebe, ki so prispevale v Sklad HNS.
3 Za namene tega člena Sklad HNS ostane pravna oseba.

1 Ta konvencija in vse morebitne spremembe, sprejete po členu 48, se deponirajo pri generalnem sekretarju.
2 Generalni sekretar:
(a) obvesti vse države, ki so podpisale to konvencijo ali pristopile k njej, in vse članice Organizacije, o:
(i) vsakem novem podpisu ali deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu, skupaj z njenim datumom;
(ii) datumu začetka veljavnosti te konvencije;
(iii) vsakem morebitnem predlogu za spremembo omejitev zneskov nadomestil, ki je bil predložen skladno s členom 48(2);
(iv) vsaki spremembi, ki je bila sprejeta skladno s členom 48(5);
(v) vsaki spremembi, ki velja kot sprejeta po členu 48(8), skupaj z datumom začetka veljavnosti te spremembe, skladno z odstavkoma 9 in 10 navedenega člena;
(vi) deponiranju vsake listine o odpovedi te konvencije, skupaj z datumom prejema in datumom začetka učinkovanja odpovedi; in
(vii) vsakem sporočilu, ki se zahteva po katerem koli členu te konvencije; ter
(b) razpošlje overjene točne kopije te konvencije vsem državam, ki so podpisale to konvencijo ali pristopile k njej.
3 Ob začetku veljavnosti te konvencije depozitar nemudoma pošlje overjeno točno kopijo te konvencije generalnemu sekretarju Združenih narodov v registracijo in objavo, skladno s členom 102 listine Združenih narodov.

Ta konvencija je napisana v enem samem izvirniku v arabskem, kitajskem, angleškem, francoskem, ruskem in španskem jeziku, pri čemer je vsako besedilo enako verodostojno.
V Londonu, dne tretjega maja tisoč devetsto šestindevetdeset.
To konvencijo so pred pričami podpisali predstavniki vlad z ustreznimi tozadevnimi pooblastili.

1 Fiksni znesek iz člena 17(3) se opredeli za vsako področje skladno s tem pravilnikom.
2 Kadar je treba izračunati prispevke za več kot eno področje splošnega računa, se posebni fiksni znesek na enoto tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, izračuna za vsako področje, kot je lahko potrebno:
(a) za trdne tovore v razsutem stanju iz člena 1(5)(a)(vii);
(b) za nafto, če je poslovanje z računom za nafto odloženo ali ustavljeno;
(c) za LNG, če je poslovanje z računom za LNG odloženo ali ustavljeno;
(d) za LPG, če je poslovanje z računom za LPG odloženo ali ustavljeno;
(e) za druge snovi.

1 Za vsako področje je fiksni znesek na enoto tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, zmnožek dajatve na točko HNS in področni faktor za to področje.
2 Dajatev na točko HNS se izračuna kot ulomek med vsoto letnih prispevkov, ki se izterjajo za plačilo na splošni račun, in vsoto točk HNS za vsa področja.
3 Vsota točk HNS za vsako področje je zmnožek celotne količine tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, za to področje v tonah in ustreznega področnega faktorja.
4 Faktor področja se izračuna kot ponderirano aritmetično povprečje razmerja zahtevki/količina za to področje za ustrezno leto in predhodnih devet let, skladno s tem predpisom.
5 Razen kakor je predpisano z odstavkom 6, se razmerje zahtevki/količina za vsako od teh let izračuna, kakor sledi:
(a) ugotovljeni zahtevki, izmerjeni v obračunskih enotah, pretvorjenih iz valute zahtevka z uporabo veljavne stopnje na datum zadevnega incidenta, za škodo, ki so jo povzročile snovi, za katere se za zadevno leto plačujejo prispevki v Sklad HNS; deljeno s
(b) količino tovora, za katerega se plačuje prispevek, v ustreznem letu.
6 V primerih, kadar zahtevana informacija iz odstavka 5(a) in (b) ni na voljo, se za manjkajoča leta za razmerje zahtevki/količina uporabijo naslednje vrednosti:

(a) trdni tovori v razsutem stanju iz
    člena 1(5)(a)(vii)                              0
(b) nafta, če je poslovanje z računom za
    nafto odloženo ali ustavljeno                   0
(c) LNG, če je poslovanje z računom za
    LNG odloženo ali ustavljeno                     0
(d) LPG, če je poslovanje z računom za
    LPG odloženo ali ustavljeno                     0
(e) druge snovi                                0.0001

7 Aritmetično povprečje 10 let se ponderira po padajoči linearni lestvici, tako da ima razmerje ustreznega leta faktor ponderiranja 10, leto pred ustreznim letom ima faktor ponderiranja devet, naslednje predhodno leto ima faktor ponderiranja osem, in tako naprej, do 10. leta, ki ima faktor ponderiranja 1.
8 Če je bilo poslovanje posebnega računa ustavljeno, se ustrezni faktor področja izračuna skladno s tistimi določbami tega pravilnika, za katere skupščina meni, da so ustrezne.

Za izvajanje konvencije skrbi Ministrstvo za promet.

Republika Slovenija bo ob deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji Mednarodne konvencije o odgovornosti in nadomestilu škode v zvezi s prevozom nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju, 1996, podala Evropskemu svetu in Evropski komisiji izjavo, ki se v slovenskem jeziku glasi:

"Sodbe o zadevah, za katere velja konvencija, se, kadar jih izda sodišče v katerikoli državi članici, za katero se uporablja sklep Sveta z dne 18. novembra 2002, ki države članice pooblašča, da v interesu Skupnosti ratificirajo ali pristopijo k Mednarodni konvenciji o odgovornosti in nadomestilu škode v zvezi s prevozom nevarnih in zdravju škodljivih snovi po morju, 1996 (2002/971/ES), razen v Republiki Sloveniji in na Danskem, priznajo in izvršijo v Republiki Sloveniji, skladno z ustreznimi notranjimi pravili Skupnosti o tej zadevi."

Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.