ITOPF Contributes Expertise at REMPEC Sub-regional Workshop on Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation in Slovenia

ITOPF was pleased to participate as a expert presenter at the recent Sub-regional Workshop on Liability and Compensation Regimes for Oil Pollution Damage, held in Koper, Slovenia on 17–18 June 2025. Organised by REMPEC in collaboration with the Slovenian Maritime Administration and supported by the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) and the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF), the event brought together key stakeholders from across the Adriatic and Mediterranean regions.

Delegations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, and Slovenia attended the workshop, alongside observers from Cyprus, Greece, Morocco and Spain. The programme featured a range of presentations and practical exercises delivered jointly by ITOPF, the IOPC Funds, and the International Group of P&I Clubs, focusing on the international liability and compensation regimes.

Representing ITOPF, Franck Laruelle provided insights into the role of experts during the response to shipping incidents, the properties, fate and behaviour of oil, the effects of oil spills on marine and coastal resources, and the processes surrounding claims for compensation. He also contributed to discussions over the two-day workshop on the types of claims covered, the criteria for admissibility, and common challenges encountered.

The workshop concluded with practical recommendations to enhance national preparedness and response to accidental marine pollution.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside REMPEC, the IOPC Funds, and the International Group of P&I Clubs, and to support capacity building efforts in the region as part of our commitment to improving response to marine pollution incidents.