The Role of P & I Clubs in Indemnifying Oil Pollution Damages

Marine areas play a crucial role in the global economy and the life of humans. Today, the sea pollution, especially oil pollution, has raised widespread concerns in national and international levels, due to the fact that the aforementioned phenomenon is threatening one of the most essential human rights, i.e. the right to enjoy a healthy environment. Hence, many efforts in order to legalize this area and determine the liability have been carried out. In international customary law, the most essential element, which brings about liability, is the concept of fault and negligence. However, the international Convention of Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969 (CLC) amended in 1992, and International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunkers Oil Pollution Damage (BUNKER) 2001, in order to prevent the oil pollution and accordingly, with the aim of implementing fast and effective compensation have been considered “absolute liability” for the ship owner and a compulsory insurance system. In this paper the rule of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (P&I clubs) in the oil pollution damages has been examined.