Reporting of dangerous and harmful substances transported by sea
Why is it reported? Obligations in the HNS Convention
Finland is acceding to the international HNS Convention (Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea.) The convention provides for liability and damages for the transport of dangerous and harmful substances by sea.
The basic principle of contractual liability is that the shipowner is primarily liable for damages.
An international HNS Fund will be established to complement the shipowner’s liability. The Fund's activities will be financed by fees collected from recipients of dangerous and harmful substances who are operating in the member states of the Convention.
Reporting begins already before the HNS Convention enters into force so that Finland can submit the information required by the Convention on cargo subject to payment at the moment of joining.
HNS Convention, The Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention (IOPC Funds)
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
Checking HNS Fund accounts for substances to be reported
The easiest way to check the substances to be reported and their HNS Fund accounts is to use the HNS Finder search tool on the HNS Convention website.
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
Reporting form for the reception of dangerous and harmful substances in bulk by sea (in Finnish) (docx, 99 KB)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
More information
Senior officer Hannele Nikander, Finnish Environment Institute, hannele.nikander@syke.fi
Publisher