Circular issued by International Group clubs The purpose of this Circular is to provide an update to Members on the information provided in our Circular dated 25 April 2008. Members have previously been advised that the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution 2001 (the “Bunkers Convention”) will enter into force in State Parties (updated list below) on 21 November 2008. As already notified, Clubs in the International Group have agreed to issue the required Bunkers Convention “Blue Cards” to enable State parties to issue certificates. 1. State certification (i) Ships registered in State Parties Ships registered in a State Party need only obtain a State certificate from that State.  This will be treated as evidence of insurance when calling at any port or terminal in any State Party. The State certificate will be issued against the provision of a Blue Card issued by the Club in the required form (see below).  Members with ships registered in a State Party are recommended to contact the authorities in that State in order to confirm the application procedures for Bunkers Convention certificates. (ii) Ships registered in non-State Parties Ships registered in a State which is not party to the Convention must obtain a State issued certificate from a State Party to the Convention. The Secretariat of the International Group and the International Chamber of Shipping have been in contact with the administrations in a number of State Parties to identify those States willing to issue certificates for ships which are not registered under their flag.  The International Group has also submitted papers to the March and June sessions of the IOPC Funds to raise awareness of the need for State Parties to agree to issue the certificates to ships registered in non-State Parties.  States are, to date, reluctant to agree to issue certificates for ships registered in non-State Parties unless calling at their ports because of the administrativ