Entry into force of the Bunkers Convention -State Certification (3) 1 September 2008 No.08-008 We refer to our previous circulars No.08-001 dated 25 April 2008 and No.08-006 dated 9 July 2008 with respect to the captioned. As advised in the above circulars, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001 (the "Bunkers Convention" ) will enter into force in State Parties (updated list below) on 21 November 2008 and that Clubs in the International Group have agreed to issue the required Bunker Convention "Blue Cards" to enable State parties to issue Bunker Convention certificates. Ships registered in non-State Parties Ships registered in a State Party need only obtain a State certificate from that State. However, ships registered in a State which is not party to the Convention and which require a certificate because they are calling at a port or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in the territorial waters of a State Party to the Convention after the entry into force date must obtain a State issued certificate from a State Party to the Convention. Discussions with State Parties would suggest that the majority are prepared to issue certificates to such ships if calling at a port in their territory, or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in their territorial waters, after the entry into force date of the Convention and with sufficient evidence that this is the case. A small number of State Parties have now agreed to issue certificates to ships registered in non-State Parties irrespective of whether they are calling at a port in their territory or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in their territorial waters after the entry into force date. Since the Blue Card is required to be addressed to a State Party that is willing to issue the certificates to such ships, it is now possible for the Clubs in the International Group to issue Blue Cards to ships registered in non- State parties. Ideally, if calling at a por