Kenya ratifies

Kenya has ratified the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks. Nancy Karigithu, director general, Kenya Maritime Authority, handed over the instrument of ratification to International Maritime Organization secretary-general Koji Sekimizu at the opening of the Legal Committee’s 102nd session, on the day the Convention entered into force internationally (14 April). The Convention will enter into force for Kenya in three months’ time. The Convention places strict liability on owners for locating, marking and removing wrecks deemed to be a hazard and makes state certification of insurance, or other form of financial security for such liability, compulsory for ships of 300 gt and above. It also provides state parties with a right of direct action against insurers.