1994 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil

Barcelona Convention Offshore Protocol

• International Law Documents
  • Environment
  • Oceans/Law of the Sea
    • Marine Environment
    • Offshore
    • Regional/Bilateral

United Nations Environment Programme Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEPMAP)

Refer to Article 28 of the 1995 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean

“Article 28: Settlement of Disputes

1. In case of a dispute between Contracting Parties as to the interpretation or application of this Convention or the protocols, they shall seek a settlement of the dispute through negotiation or any other peaceful means of their own choice.
2. If the Parties concerned cannot settle their dispute through the means mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the dispute shall upon common agreement be submitted to arbitration under the conditions laid down in annex A to this Convention.
3. Nevertheless, the Contracting Parties may at any time declare that they recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other Party accepting the same obligation, the application of the arbitration procedure in conformity with the provisions of annex A. Such declaration shall be notified in writing to the Depositary, who shall communicate it to the other Parties.”

Government of Spain

Annex I: Harmful or Noxious Substances and Materials the Disposal of which in the Protocol Area is Prohibited

Annex II: Harmful or Noxious Substances and Materials the Disposal of which in the Protocol Area is Subject to a Special Permit

Annex III: Factors to be Considered for the Issue of the Permits

Annex IV: Environmental Impact Assessment

Annex V: Oil and Oily Mixtures and Drilling Fluids and Cuttings

Annex VI: Safety Measures

Annex VII: Contingency Plan

Appendix: List of Oils

24/03/2011

“Article 32 Final Clause

1. This Protocol shall be open for signature at Madrid from 14 October 1994 to 14 October 1995, by any State Party to the Convention invited to the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Coastal States of the Mediterranean Region on the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Seabed and its Subsoil, held at Madrid on 13 and 14 October 1994. It shall also be open until the same dates for signature by the European Community and by any similar regional economic grouping of which at least one member is a coastal State of the Protocol Area and which exercises competence in fields covered by this Protocol in conformity with Article 30 of the Convention.
2. This Protocol shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Government of Spain, which will assume the functions of Depositary.
3. As from 15 October 1995, this Protocol shall be open for accession by the States referred to in paragraph 1 above, by the European Community and by any grouping referred to in that paragraph.
4. This Protocol shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of at least six instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of, or accession to, the Protocol by the Parties referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.”

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1976 Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution

1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

1976 Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft 

1995 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean

1995 Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (replaced 1982 Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas)

1996 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities (replaced 1980 Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Land-based Sources)

1996 Protocol on the Prevention of Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

2002 Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships, and in Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (replaced 1976 Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Oil and other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency)

2008 Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean

2016 Mediterranean Offshore Action Plan in the framework of the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf and the Seabed and its Subsoil

UNEP Document Repository accessed on 15/07/2024

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