Decision ID: 001381
In July 2002 the 1992 Fund Executive Committee noted that in October 2001 two Greek companies had taken legal action in the Court of first instance in Piraeus (Greece) against the registered owner of the Slops claiming compensation for costs of clean-up operations and preventive measures, and that in February 2002 the same companies had taken legal action against the 1992 Fund claiming compensation for the same amounts as in their action against the owner. It was noted that in their pleadings the companies had stated that the Slops had been constructed exclusively to carry oil by sea, that it had a nationality certificate as a vessel, that it was still registered as a tanker with the Piraeus Ships Registry, and that even when it operated as an oil separation unit, it floated at sea and its only purpose was to carry oil in its hull. The Committee decided that the companies had not provided any information in their pleading that would modify the Committee’s position that the Slops should not be considered as a ‘ship’ for the purpose of the 1992 Fund Convention and instructed the Director to oppose the action accordingly.