Croatia Ratifies Wreck Removal Convention

IMO Croatia has acceded to the International Maritime Organizations (IMO) Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks.  This brings the total number of states to accede to the treaty to 37. Ivan Grdešić, Ambassador of Croatia to the United Kingdom, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim to deposit the instrument of accession on July 11. The convention, which entered into force in 2015, provides the legal basis for states to remove, or have removed, shipwrecks that may threaten the safety of lives, goods and property at sea, as well as the marine environment. The treaty was adopted in 2007 and its contracting states currently represent just over 70% of the worlds merchant fleet tonnage. Under the treaty, shipowners are financially liable and required to take out insurance or provide other financial security to cover the costs of wreck removal. It also provides states with a right of direct action against insurers.