Finland joins international convention on compensation for damage due to carriage of hazardous substances by sea

Finland joins international convention on compensation for damage due to carriage of hazardous substances by sea

On 30 June 2026, Finland deposited its instrument of accession to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS Convention). The Convention strengthens the right of injured parties to compensation for damage caused by the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea and complements the international maritime liability and compensation regime.

The HNS Convention lays down provisions on liability and compensation for damage caused by the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea, and aims to ensure that injured parties receive adequate and effective compensation. The Convention has been negotiated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is partly within the competence of the European Union.

In Finland, Parliament adopted Finland's accession to the Convention in November 2019, and the President of the Republic approved the Convention in December 2019. However, in order to follow an internationally coordinated process of accession, the instrument of accession was not deposited at that time. This ensured that the liability for possible damages would be distributed equally and that compensation would not be unreasonably high for Finnish companies, for example.

What's next?

The conditions for the entry into force of the Convention were met on 29 May 2026. Internationally, the Convention will enter into force on 29 November 2027. The entry into force will introduce the first international compensation regime covering damage caused by the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea.

Accession to the Convention will also allow Finland to participate in the first General Assembly to be held after its entry into force.

Inquiries:

Tiina Ranne, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 2036 (available from 30 July 2026)
Eero Hokkanen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 2021 (available until 6 July 2026)
Niina Honkasalo, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 2027 (available from 13 to 29 July 2026)