List of IMO OPRC-HNS related guidance and manuals

The materials listed below cover many aspects of marine pollution preparedness and response, predominantly developed through the former OPRC-HNS Technical Group, a subsidiary group of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee and latterly the sub-committee on Pollution Prevention and Response. Their purpose is to support the implementation of the OPRC Convention and OPRC-HNS Protocol. 

Open access to OPRC related IMO Publications

Other OPRC and HNS related IMO Publications

All other IMO publications are available for purchase through IMO Publishing.

  • Manual on Oil Pollution: 

    • Section I – Prevention (2011 edition)

    • Section II – Contingency Planning (1995 edition)

    • Section III – Salvage (1997 edition)

    • Section IV – Combating Oil Spills (2005 edition)

    • Section V – Administrative Aspects of Oil Pollution Response (2009 edition)

    • Section VI – IMO Guidelines for Sampling and Identification of Oil Spills (1998 edition)

  • IMO/UNEP Guidelines on Oil Spill Dispersant Application including environmental considerations (1995 edition)

  • Manual on oil spill risk evaluation and assessment of response preparedness (2010 edition)

  • IMO/UNEP Guidance Manual on the assessment and restoration of environmental damage following marine oil spills (2009 edition)

  • Guidance document on the implementation of an incident management system (IMS) (2012 edition)

  • Guidance on the safe operation of oil pollution combating equipment (2017)

  • Guideline for oil spill response in fast currents (2013 edition)

  • Bioremediation in marine oil spills (2004 edition)

  • Guidelines for the development of shipboard marine pollution emergency plans (2010 edition)

  • IMO/FAO Guidance on managing seafood safety during and after oil spills (2002 edition)

  • Manual on chemical pollution:

    • Section 1 – Problem Assessment and Response Arrangements (1999 edition)

    • Section 2 – Search and Recovery of Packaged Goods lost at Sea (2007 edition)

  • Field guide for oil spill response in Tropical waters (1997 edition)

OPRC related publications developed jointly with the oil and gas industry

IMO/IPIECA Report Series:

Joint IMO/IPIECA/IOGP