Reporting of dangerous and harmful substances transported by sea

The HNS Convention will enter into force on 29 November 2027

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced in spring 2026 that the conditions for the entry into force of the HNS Convention had been met and that the Convention would enter into force. Finland also formally confirmed its accession to the Convention on 30 June 2026.

With its entry into force, the first international compensation regime covering damage arising from the maritime transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) will be established. An international reporting system for HNS reporting is also being developed, through which annual reporting is intended to be carried out in the coming years.

Ministry of Transport and Communications, Press Release, (30 June 2026): Finland joins international convention on compensation for damage due to carriage of hazardous substances by sea

International Maritime Organization Press Release on the Entry into Force of the Convention (1 June 2026): IMO treaty on hazardous and noxious cargo to enter into force in 2027 

Substances to be reported

Reporting shall cover the following dangerous and harmful substances transported in bulk:

• Oils as defined in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, Annex I)
• Harmful liquid substances (MARPOL, Annex II)
• Other hazardous liquids (IBC Code)
• Liquefied gases (IGC Code)
• Liquid substances with a flash point at maximum 60℃
• Certain solids classified as dangerous (IMSBC Code)
• Cargo residues of these substances

Who reports?

The recipient of the cargo is responsible for reporting. As a rule, the recipient is the person who has received the unloaded cargo in the Finnish port or terminal.

The cargo may also be received by a representative of the commissioner. If the representative has notified the Finnish Environment Institute of their client, the client is considered to be the recipient of the cargo. The commissioner must be within the competence of a member state of the HNS Convention.

For liquefied natural gas (LNG), the reporting obligation may lie with the person who owns the cargo immediately before unloading. This requires a separate agreement. The Finnish Environment Institute must be notified of the agreement. However, the recipient has an obligation to report if the owner of the cargo fails to do so.

Reporting thresholds

• The general account threshold is 17,000 tonnes.
• The threshold for permanent oils in the oil account is 150,000 tonnes.
• The threshold value for non-permanent oils in the oil account is 17,000 tonnes.
• The LNG account (liquefied natural gas) has no threshold.
• The LPG account (liquefied petroleum gas) threshold is 17,000 tonnes.

Report the quantities received to the Finnish Environment Institute

Use the form to report the data

Sign the form.

Submit the scanned form

by email to hns@syke.fi

or by post to

Finnish Environment Institute
Latokartanonkaari 11
00790 Helsinki

Representatives can declare their clients free-form, e.g. by e-mail.

Legislation

Laki meritse kuljetettavien vaarallisten ja haitallisten aineiden vastaanottamista koskevasta raportointivelvollisuudesta (Finlex)

More information

Senior officer Laura Haapola, Finnish Environment Institute, laura.haapola@syke.fi