Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention
International convention (entered into force 2015) that gives coastal states the right and obligation to remove hazardous wrecks in their EEZ at the registered owner's expense.
In practice
Coastal state issues a Wreck Removal Order under the Nairobi Convention. Owner's P&I cover responds; insurer typically engages a specialist contractor (Boskalis, Mammoet). Small vessels routinely settle as a constructive total loss; large casualty wrecks take 18-36 months.
Regulatory detail & full definition
The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (in force 2015) gives coastal states the right and obligation to remove, or have removed, wrecks that pose a hazard within their exclusive economic zone, at the registered owner's expense. It requires the registered owner of any ship of 300 GT or more to carry compulsory insurance or other financial security - evidenced by a state-issued certificate and typically backed by a P&I Club blue card - to cover the cost of locating, marking and removing a hazardous wreck. It applies to wrecks beyond territorial waters but within the 200-nautical-mile EEZ, and has been ratified by more than 47 states including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, India and Japan.
Related
Source: Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007
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