Georgia - Compulsory Insurance For Oil Pollution From April 2005

March 2005

With effect from 1 April 2005 all foreign vessels of 500 GT and above visiting Georgian ports must have insurance cover in respect of oil spills including bunker spills and wreck removal.

For vessels entered with any of the International Group Clubs the vessel's Certificate of Entry is sufficient evidence of insurance for the purposes of the new regulations. Although this is not specified in the regulations themselves the Georgian Maritime Transport Administration has confirmed that a copy of the Certificate of Entry will suffice although, in this case, the Administration may contact the issuing Club to confirm the Certificate's validity. 

A report of the status of insurance must be submitted by the master or local agent to the Harbour Master prior to the vessel's entry into port. No separate reporting form is required - this information can be submitted at the same time as the other pre-arrival vessel information.  

Failure to comply with the requirements can give rise to vessel inspection, delay and penalties.

The requirements were announced in a Circular which can be downloaded here .

 

With thanks to GEOMAR for supplying this information