[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22395]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice No. 2072]

 

Shipping Coordinating Committee, International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) Legal Committee; Notice of Meeting

    The U.S. Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) will conduct an open 
meeting at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 22, 1994, in Room 6103 of 
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. The purpose of this meeting is to prepare for the 71st Session of 
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee to be 
held October 10-14, 1994.
    To facilitate the attendance of those participants who may be 
interested in only certain aspects of the public meeting, the first 
subject addressed will be the draft International Convention on 
Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage 
of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS Convention). The second 
major subject, which will be considered at approximately 11:30 a.m., 
will be possible revisions to the 1976 Convention on Limitation of 
Liability for Maritime Claims ('76 LLMC).
    The current draft of the HNS Convention imposes strict liability 
upon the shipowner with an additional international fund (second-tier 
fund) modeled after the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. 
The draft HNS Convention provides compensation for environmental damage 
as well as personal injury and property damage from a broad range of 
substances. At the 70th Session, the Legal Committee finalized 
decisions on several issues regarding the draft HNS Convention and 
agreed in principle on several others. However, other important 
questions remain to be resolved, such as: (1) Whether receivers or 
importers should pay into the second-tier instead of shippers and 
exporters; (2) whether transshipment receivers will be required to pay 
into the second-tier; and (3) whether domestic voyages of seagoing 
vessels will be covered by the draft HNS Convention and similarly be 
required to contribute to the second-tier.
    The Legal Committee resumed deliberations on the '76 LLMC at the 
70th Session. Several decisions were made, and discussion centered on a 
draft protocol which provides for raising the limits of liability and a 
streamlined tacit amendment procedure. Work will continue at the 71st 
session in October. The '76 LLMC has been in force since December 1, 
1986, and has been ratified by 22 nations. Although the United States 
has not ratified the '76 LLMC, interests within the United States--such 
as owners of foreign flag vessels and passengers on foreign flag 
vessels--may be affected by changes to the Convention. The views of the 
public are requested.
    Members of the public are invited to attend the SHC meeting, up to 
the seating capacity of the room. For further information or to submit 
views concerning the subjects of discussion, contact either Captain 
David J. Kantor or Lieutenant Commander Steven D. Poulin, U.S. Coast 
Guard (G-LMI), 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20593, 
telephone (202) 267-1527, telefax (202) 267-4496.

    Dated: September 1, 1994.
Stephen Miller,
Acting Executive Secretary, Shipping Coordinating Committee.
[FR Doc. 94-22395 Filed 9-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-7-M