Exam Question

### Background and Relevance of the Bunker Convention, 2001
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish a comprehensive international liability and compensation regime for pollution damage caused by the escape or discharge of bunker oil from ships.
**Background:**
Prior to this convention, a significant regulatory gap existed in international maritime law. The primary international instrument for oil pollution liability, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), and its associated Fund Convention, exclusively covered pollution damage caused by persistent oil carried by tankers (both as cargo and bunkers). There was no specific, uniform international regime addressing pollution from the bunkers of non-tanker vessels, such as bulk carriers, container ships, and general cargo ships.