American Club Circular No. 32/17 1 DECEMBER 20, 2017 CIRC ULAR NO. 32/17 TO MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION Dear Member: HONDURAS – OIL SPILL RESPONSE – NEW REQUIREMENTS New oil spill response requirements have been introduced in Honduras. They will come into force on January 1, 2018 and will apply to both tank and non-tank vessels. The Honduras Maritime Authority has advised that, according to Act DGMM-022-2015, all vessels must nominate an oil spill response organization (OSRO) approved by the Authority to secure the availability of private personnel and equipment necessary to remove, to the maximum extent practicable, a worstcase discharge, and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a discharge. One such OSRO currently exists - Ocean Pollution Control S.A. Honduras - which has agreed to contract on an unamended RESPONSECON form in the event of a spill. Members will recall that RESPONSECON is the standard industry contract developed by BIMCO/ISCO for the hire of specialized spill response services and equipment in the event of an incident in international waters outside the United States. The terms and conditions conform to International Group guidelines for vessel response plan contracts. The Honduras Maritime Authority has confirmed that an International Group club’s Certificate of Entry is sufficient evidence of insurance to cover the liability of the registered owner for pollution damage for all vessels calling at Honduran ports, or requesting anchorage within Honduran waters. This is required to be submitted to Port State Control officials at least 24 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival together with, for CLC tankers, the vessel’s State Certificate issued in accordance with the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage. Owners will also need to arrange via their local agents in Honduras a “standby contract” - Certificate of Coverage for marine pollution response issued by Ocean Pollution Control S.A. Honduras. The wording of the stand-by contract conforms to International Group guidelines. The contract has the following footer: “Ocean Pollution Control, S.A. Honduras Effective 01.12.2017” and can be accessed via the link below: Ocean Pollution Control, S.A. Honduras Effective 01.12.2017 Yours faithfully, Joseph E.M. Hughes, Chairman & CEO Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Managers for THE AMERICAN CLUB All Clubs in the International Group of P&I Clubs have issued similar circulars.