Analysis of the Effects and Reasons for Accepting ‎and Opposing Compulsory Insurance for Marine ‎Pollution

The principle of prompt, adequate and effective compensation for marine pollution damages has always faced many challenges in the field of marine transportation. One of these challenges is to guarantee the compensation for probable catastrophic losses through a unified system of international compulsory insurance. Compulsory insurance in the framework of an international legal system of civil liability for marine pollution has received some oppositions by some countries, including the United States. On the other hand, many countries have presented many reasons for developing compulsory insurance in the international arena for all types of marine pollution. This article, through an analytical method, will examine and evaluate the reasons provided for and against a compulsory insurance for all types of marine pollution. It emphasizes that compulsory insurance for all types of marine pollution caused by oil or hazardous and noxious substances is necessary, for reasons such as guaranteeing a source of compensation for pollution victims, cover environmental damage and facilitate the access to national authorities and financial resources of the responsible persons and its insurer.