The South African coastline has claimed two more victims in
recent months, the mv KIANI SATU and mv SMART. Both vessels ran
aground close to environmentally sensitive regions where the
effects of an oil spill could have been devastating. Fortunately,
neither was a tanker, and in each case environmental degradation
was contained.
South Africa acceded to the 1992 CLC and Fund Conventions* in
June 2004, but remains unable to access any of the compensation
these Conventions provide, owing to delays in implementing the
necessary domestic legislation. Happily, there has been
progress recently.
The Merchant Shipping (Civil Liability Convention) Bill and the
Merchant Shipping (International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund)
Contributions Bill were both passed by the National Assembly this
month and must now be assented to by the President. The latter will
facilitate South Africa's access to the compensation provided
by the Fund Convention in circumstances where a full or
