IOPC Funds participates in West P&I webinar on the 2010 HNS Convention

Posted: 29/10/2026

The IOPC Funds participated in a webinar hosted by West P&I on 28 October 2026, designed to prepare shipowners for the entry into force of the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Convention in November 2027. During the webinar, Gillian Grant, Head of the HNS Department at the IOPC Funds, joined experts from ITOPF and West P&I to provide practical guidance on the Convention and its implications for the maritime sector.

The session formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure that stakeholders are informed and prepared for the new international liability and compensation regime that will apply to damage caused by hazardous and noxious substances transported by sea.

During the webinar, Ms Grant provided an overview of the 2010 HNS Convention, explaining its purpose, scope and application. Her presentation outlined the types of substances covered by the Convention, highlighted examples of incidents that could have fallen within the scope of the HNS regime and provided an update on preparations being undertaken by the Secretariat and the HNS Working Group ahead of the Convention’s entry into force.

Ms Grant spoke alongside Nathalie Kirk of ITOPF, who explained the organisation’s role in responding to incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances, and Erin Walton of West P&I, who delivered practical guidance on the HNS Blue Card application process and the steps shipowners can take to prepare their fleets for the requirements of the Convention. The presentation addressed key administrative considerations and provided attendees with information on how to ensure compliance ahead of implementation.

The webinar demonstrated the strong level of cooperation between organisations involved in the implementation of the HNS Convention and marked a positive step in preparing shipowners for the new regime. The IOPC Funds values these collaborative initiatives and will continue to work closely with P&I Clubs to support preparations for the effective implementation of the Convention. As entry into force approaches, outreach activities of this kind will continue to play an important role in raising awareness and ensuring that stakeholders have the information they need to prepare for the new regime.

The recording of the full webinar can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/jUrHHRwuAqk