Oil Spill Response Contract Requirements – Uruguay 17 February 2015 No.14-021 Background   On 20th February 2015, Disposición Marítima N° 149 (the “Regulation”) will take effect in Uruguay with the aim of  establishing a set of rules governing the requirement for owners to contract with an oil spill response company (OSRO) approved by the Uruguayan Coast Guard, amongst other requirements.  The Regulation has been established under the scope of Uruguayan Law N° 19.012 of 23 November 2012.  The intention of this circular is to summarise the key provisions of this Regulation.   Overview   The Regulation requires the local agent (unless Uruguayan flagged) for any of the following vessels to conclude an oil spill response clean-up contract with a Uruguayan Coast Guard approved OSRO at least 24 hours before entering a Uruguayan port or an anchorage in Uruguayan waters:   1. All tank vessels or barges regardless of size; 2. All vessels where the Uruguayan authorities have determined that the vessel has a  deficiency which could result in her grounding or sinking; 3. All vessels at anchorage in Uruguayan waters for a period of more than 24 hours 4. All vessels engaged in exploration or exploitation of resources in the Uruguayan  Exclusive Economic Zone  (EEZ).   In case of vessels under the Uruguayan Flag, owners may contract direct with the OSROs.   It is the International Group’s understanding that there are  currently two approved OSROs for the purposes of the Regulation, namely Marine Environmental Care Lasimar S.A. and CINTRA Golantex S.A.  A certificate of coverage provided by one of the two approved OSROs must be submitted to the local authorities where a vessel falls within the scope of 1-4 above.   The International Group has reviewed both the Lasimar and CINTRA contract certificates that the vessel’s local agent (or owner where the vessel is Uruguayan flagged) will need to sign where vessel