Prevention of Oil Pollution of the Marine Environment by Ocean Vessels: Compliance and Enforcement of International Law

Abstract

In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, ship-source marine pollution has, for a long time, been singled out for special attention. While large oil pollution incidents have reduced both in number and in size over recent decades, the potential threat of environmental damage and economic loss associated with the carriage of oil remains disconcerting. In the last century the world experienced some major oil spills of the time with catastrophic effects to marine environment. Responding to such unfortunate events, among other things, enacted liability and compensation conventions to ensure timely and adequate compensation to victims of oil pollution. Even so, the application of such conventions raised some questions.This paper focuses on the international legal framework for prevention of vessel-source oil pollution. Regulatory international law regarding prevention of vessel-source 0il pollution is discussed within the framework.This paper examined the role of oil pollution liability conventions in the protection of marine environment through compensation and challenges facing the conventions in the process of application in relevant oil pollution incidents. The relevant issues have, therefore, been discussed and analyzed.