(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The international maritime regime for liability and compensation following marine casualties is preparing for its most significant structural evolution in decades. On 29 November 2027 , the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (the HNS Convention / 2010 HNS Protocol ) will officially enter into force globally. Long regarded as the missing cornerstone of the international maritime liability framework, the HNS Convention closes a critical gap alongside existing international regimes, such as the Civil Liability and Fund Conventions for oil pollution damage and the Bunker Convention. Closing the Gap in Global Maritime Liability Historically, incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) have been subject to a patchwork of domestic laws, regional regulations, and general global limitation regimes (such as LLMC 1996). This fragmented landscape created significant uncertainty for claimants, shipowners, and insurers alike regarding liability limits, actionable damage categories, and compensation availability. Once in force, the HNS Convention establishes a unified, strict liability regime paired with compulsory insurance and an international backup fund. Scope of Application: Cargoes and Covered Damage Unlike traditional oil pollution conventions, which focus primarily on persistent crude and heavy fuel oils, the HNS Convention applies to a vast and diverse spectrum of substances carried as cargo by sea, whether in bulk or packaged form. Covered Cargoes Bulk Liquids: Chemical cargoes, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and persistent/non-persistent oils. Solid Bulk Cargoes: Bulk solids possessing chemical hazards (e.g., materials covered by the IMSBC Code). Packaged Goods: Dangerous goods in freight containers, portable tanks, or dangerous packaged form falling under the IMDG Code. Covered Damage The definiti