Summary of Working Paper No. 88-1997

IV.3.1: Matters of Responsibility for Marine Pollution under the Legislation of the Russian Federation. Review of the Main Legislative Acts.

By A. L. Kolodkin, O. V. Kulistikova, and E. M. Mokhova, International Marine Law Association, State Scientific Institute for Marine Transport Soyuzmorniiproekt, Moscow, Russia

This Working Paper reviews the main legislative acts of the ex-USSR and the Russian Federation systematised by the responsibility types, civil (property), criminal, and administrative.

The issues of responsibility for marine pollution are considered in accordance with the draft of the new Merchant Shipping Code of the Russian Federation, at the time of publication before the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

The Code contains two sections, Liability for Damage Caused by Oil Pollution from Ships and Liability for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea. This attempts to correct various previous deficiencies in the Russian legislation and ensure appropriate regulation of matters relating to liability for marine pollution, taking into account international rules and procedures.

The Working Paper is of a general survey character and does not carry out a theoretical investigation and detail coverage of certain incidents relating got pollution, however research is expected continued relating to the theoretical problems and detailed investigation of pollution incidents.