On 20th May 2024, the Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister met with representatives of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund to discuss the next steps in the claims process for compensation relating to the Tobago Oil Spill. Also present at the meeting were representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard; Ministry of Works and Transport; and the Institute of Marine Affairs. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries’ International Waterfront Complex, Head Office, Port-of-Spain.
At the meeting, Minister Young reiterated the intention of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to take legal action against the owner of the barge, ‘Gulfstream’ and the owner of the tug, ‘Solo Creed’ and assured the IOPC that Trinidad and Tobago continues to aggressively pursue leads utilizing all available resources.
The IOPC indicated that the next steps include treating with the claims that encompass economic loss due to the oil spill. This transparent and thorough process will be led by the IOPC with the aim that all claims are validated and considered for compensation. All parties pledged full cooperation and continuous communication to ensure a seamless claims process.
In April 2024, the Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the office of the Prime Minister led a high-level delegation to London with the goal of championing Trinidad and Tobago’s case for compensation for its oil spill response activities pertaining to the Tobago Oil Spill to the IOPC. Following a compelling presentation from Minister Young, the IOPC agreed to make payments of compensation in respect of claims arising from the Tobago Oil Spill Incident.
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The Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister met with representatives of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund; Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard; Ministry of Works and Transport; and the Institute of Marine Affairs to discuss the next steps in the claims process for compensation on the Tobago Oil Spill.
From left to right: Mr. Marc Rudder, Deputy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries; Mr. Mark Homan, Claims Manager, IOPC; Paul Taylor, Teal P&I; The Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister; Gaute Sivertsen, Director IOPC; and Ms. Sandra Fraser, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries.