Documents & Guides

Explore a variety of topics about marine spills, response and compensation matters in the pages below.

Each topic and area of interest provides access to more detailed documentation that is freely downloadable.

This includes our 18 Technical Information Papers which are fully illustrated with photos and diagrams and are available in several languages. 


Alternative Fuels

What are the emerging alternative fuels and their associated risks, hazards, damages and liabilities?

Compensation for Ship-source Marine Oil Spills

What legal arrangements and sources of compensation are available for a spill from a ship?

Disposal

What planning and waste management systems need to be put in place to reduce the volume of oily waste for treatment or disposal?

Environmental Effects

How does oil impact seabirds, plankton, sea mammals and the shoreline?  

HNS

What are the specific chemical response strategies for responding to a Hazardous and Noxious Substance spill, and what are the potential effects on human and marine life? 

Contingency & Response Planning

What information is needed for an effective oil spill contingency plan? How can aerial observation and protective strategies assist with response operations? 

Economic Effects

Which industries might suffer temporary economic losses and loss of market confidence?

Fate of Oil Spills

What happens to oil in the marine environment over time when spilled at sea? How do different factors such as volume and physical and chemical properties affect the fate of oil spills? 

Response Techniques

What techniques are available for cleaning up oil at sea and on the shoreline?


Explore the Resources

Search filters
Environmental damage compensation in China following ship-source oil spills (2018)

Environmental damage compensation in China following ship-source oil spills (2018)

This paper introduces the types of environmental damage claims typically presented following a substantial oil spill in China, and the basis for these damage claims. By discussing how these claims were quantified and eventually settled, this paper aims to illustrate how environmental damage has been interpreted in China, and how the concept has evolved over the years. This paper highlights a number of recent changes in legislation which can be expected to lead future discussion on environmental damage compensation into uncharted waters.

Categories: Compensation, Papers

Read more

Droning on: A review of UAV use in recent spills attended by ITOPF and considerations for the future (2018)

Droning on: A review of UAV use in recent spills attended by ITOPF and considerations for the future (2018)

This paper discusses the considerations for the use of UAVs at future oil spill incidents, based on its experience with other parties who have used the technology on site over a three year period, November 2014 to November 2017.

Categories: Planning & operations, Papers

Read more

Environmental damage: Changing perceptions and future outlook (2018)

Environmental damage: Changing perceptions and future outlook (2018)

Over the last fifty years, increased global awareness of environmental issues has led to growing recognition of environmental stewardship as an essential component of economic development.

Categories: Environmental effects, Papers

Read more

To remove or not to remove? Dealing with pollution risks from ship wrecks (2017)

To remove or not to remove? Dealing with pollution risks from ship wrecks (2017)

Based on ITOPF’s extensive experience providing advice on pollution mitigation and environmental risks posed by wrecks, this paper examines recent issues in the treatment of

wrecks. The authors highlight some key concerns regarding the equitable treatment of wrecks and argue that a more rigorous, technically-based decision making process be adopted and

promoted to ensure clarity and consistency for all parties.

Categories: Planning & operations, Papers

Read more

The International law regarding ship-source pollution liability and compensation: Evolution and current challenges (2017)

The International law regarding ship-source pollution liability and compensation: Evolution and current challenges (2017)

This paper looks at the history and evolution of the international law regarding

ship-source pollution liability and compensation, established and strengthened over the last

50 years into what is today considered as a comprehensive and uniform regime. The

principles that underpin this regime are the result of compromises between States and industry, lessons learned from past incidents and have been adhered to by the vast majority of

countries in the world, denoting the success of the regime.

Categories: Compensation, Papers

Read more

From the Torrey Canyon to today: A 50 year retrospective of recovery from the oil spill and interaction with climate-driven fluctuations on Cornish rocky shores (2017)

From the Torrey Canyon to today: A 50 year retrospective of recovery from the oil spill and interaction with climate-driven fluctuations on Cornish rocky shores (2017)

This paper highlights lessons learnt from observations stretching back 60 years, both before and after the Torrey Canyon spill, for rocky shore monitoring, especially the need for broad-scale and long-term monitoring to separate out local impacts (such as oil spills) from global climate-driven change.

Categories: Environmental effects, Papers

Read more

The use and misuse of SCAT in spill response (2017)

The use and misuse of SCAT in spill response (2017)

In this paper we review the use and misuse of SCAT in several recent smallscale incidents and discuss the implications for the wider implementation of SCAT moving forward.

Categories: Environmental effects, Papers

Read more

Implementation of oil spill mitigation measures in fisheries and mariculture (2017)

Implementation of oil spill mitigation measures in fisheries and mariculture (2017)

Response actions and mitigation measures, undertaken at the time of a spill specifically to protect seafood resources can ultimately influence the duration, magnitude and extent of impacts. This paper reviews small-scale cases in which ITOPF has been involved from around the world where fisheries or mariculture were an important concern and where measures were implemented specifically to mitigate damage.

Categories: Economic effects, Papers

Read more

Response considerations when marine spills affect coastal agriculture (2017)

Response considerations when marine spills affect coastal agriculture (2017)

Using case studies of oil spills ITOPF has attended in Asia, Europe and South America, this paper will discuss these key considerations in turn, and describe, through the case studies, how they were resolved or addressed. This paper will also summarise the findings to provide general guidance for responding to oil spills where tidal agriculture is an important industry.

Categories: Economic effects, Papers

Read more

ITOPF R&D Award: A shipping industry's initiative to support research and development (2015)

ITOPF R&D Award: A shipping industry's initiative to support research and development (2015)

ITOPF's shipowners and their P&I insurers have established the annual 'ITOPF R&D Award' to encourage organisations worldwide to inspire innovative thinking and to present ideas that could provide solutions to some of the challenges faced in spill response and environmental monitoring.

Categories: Training & Education, Papers

Read more