EU Ministers sign declaration highlighting importance of ratification of the 2010 HNS Convention

Posted: 17/03/2020

Following discussions at a High-Level Ministerial Maritime Conference held in Opatija, Croatia, from 10-11 March 2020, EU Ministers have signed a declaration highlighting the importance of ratification of a number of international maritime conventions, including the 2010 HNS Protocol.

The declaration presented by Croatian Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, sets out the main priorities of the Republic of Croatia in the field of maritime affairs. The participating EU Transport Ministers endorsed these priorities on the second day of the meeting and signed the declaration.

This Ministerial declaration comes four years after the EU Council decision was published in December 2015, authorising EU Member States, for the parts falling under the exclusive competence of the Union, to ratify or accede to the 2010 HNS Protocol.  It is a promising announcement as States continue to be encouraged to ratify or accede to this importance treaty, which is considered by many as the last piece in the puzzle of international liability Conventions.