[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 8108] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-3411] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 2162] Shipping Coordinating Committee, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee; Meeting The U.S. Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) will conduct an open meeting at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, March 16, 1995, in Room 2415 of U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting is to prepare for the 72nd Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee, to be held April 3-7, 1995, and to report on the results of the Seventh Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Group of Experts (JIGE VII), held December 5-9, 1994, in Geneva. 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 2:30 p.m., will be possible revisions to the 1976 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims ('76 LLMC). The last major subject, which will be considered at approximately 3:00 p.m., will be the JIGE negotiations regarding possible revisions to the International Convention of the Unification of Certain Rules Related to the Arrest of Ships, 1952 (1952 Arrest Convention). 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 71st Session, the Legal Committee finalized decisions on several issues regarding the draft HNS Convention and agreed in principal on several others. However, other important questions remain to be resolved. Additionally, it is expected that the 72nd Session of Legal Committee will complete a final review of the draft articles of the HNS Convention, making it the last session for substantive work on the Convention before a scheduled 1996 Diplomatic Conference. The views of the public are requested. The Legal Committee resumed deliberations on the '76 LLMC at the 71st Session. Several decisions were made, and discussions centered on a draft protocol which provides for raising the limits of liability, changes made necessary by a decision to link the HNS Convention to other limitation of liability regimes, and a streamlined tacit amendment procedure. Work will continue at the 72nd session. 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. Several important decisions were made at JIGE VII regarding possible revisions to the 1952 Arrest Convention. The principle focus of JIGE VII was as follows: (1) Expanding of the list of maritime claims, consistent with the changes in the 1993 Maritime Liens and Mortgages Convention, for which a vessel may be arrested; (2) whether personal liability of the owner is a prerequisite to arrest, particularly when the claim is secured by a maritime lien; (3) whether the arrest should give the respective arresting court jurisdiction to decide the merits of the case; and (4) the extent to which the Convention should be applied to vessels of non-contracting states. The United States has not ratified the 1952 Arrest Convention. However, the interests of United States owners of foreign flag vessels, cargo owners, and maritime claimants and lienholders may be affected by changes to the Convention. The views of the public are requested. Member 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, SW., Washington, DC 20593, telephone (202) 267-1527, telefax (202) 267-4496. Dated: February 1, 1995. Charles A. Mast, Chairman, Shipping Coordinating Committee. [FR Doc. 95-3411 Filed 2-9-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-07-M