The Bunkers Convention builds on arrangements which are in place at international level in relation to civil liability and compensation, arising out of oil spills from tankers, which have been adopted in connection with the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea – HNS. Senators will recall the Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) (Amendment) Bill 2003, which was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas recently and updates our legislation with regard to spills from tankers. The Bunkers Convention introduces a civil liability regime for ships other than oil tankers.