Emne: RE: IOPC Correspondence Group: Collection of LNG levies

Fra: "Boer, J.E. de (Jan) - DGTL"

Dato: Fri, 20 Jul 2007

Erik,
 
As I understand today is set as a deadline for the first round of discussions on the issue of collection of levies
in respect of LNG to the HNS Fund and I further understand that contributions are highly appreciated, I was encouraged
to comment on your letter of 19 June to get the work going. I may remind you that the trade in LNG in the Netherlands 
has not started yet and that therefore our contribution at this stage can only be of a preliminary nature. This is of 
course without prejudice to the ratification and implementation process of the HNS Convention that is ongoing and to 
which we are so committed.
 
The issue I wanted to raise with you concerns the issue of reporting. More in particular I agree with your assessment 
that States Parties have an obligation to report on the receipt of all HNS, including LNG where relevant, in their 
territory. However, I would like to add that according to article 21 par. 2 of the HNS Convention such quantities have 
to relate to any person who in respect of the State is liable to pay contributions (in case of LNG the titleholder 
immediately prior to discharge).
 
I read in the second part of the relevant paragraph in your letter the suggestion that such information could possibly 
be obtained from the receivers. In that respect I wonder whether the receiving state could not directly be informed by 
the titleholder immediatly before discharge. Similar situations do for example exist as regards reporting requirements 
for ships of foreign jurisdiction on port state entry. Of course I can see the practical side of what you suggest in 
this respect, I just wanted to raise whether it is really necessary here to recommend another practice than the HNS 
Convention seems to indicate. 
 
I look forward to hearing your further views on this issue.
 
Best regards,
 
Jan

 
 
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Jan Engel de Boer
Netherlands Ministry of Transport
Directorate-General Transport & Civil Aviation
Directorate Maritime transport/Shipping Division 
tel + 31 70 351 1815
fax + 31 70 351 1692
email: Jan.de.Boer@minvenw.nl
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