NSOCC History

Session / Year

Location (Country) [Host]

Major Highlights

0 / 1976
Oct 11/12

Kungälv (Sweden)
[Tor Line]

Guidelines for the settlement of claims - The Blue Card*.

1 / 1977
Sept 12/14

Ipswich (United Kingdom)
[Tor Line]

Uniform condition reports.
Trade cars guidelines.

2 / 1978
Oct 11/13

Fanø (Denmark)
[Tor Line]

First draft of the North Sea Standard Conditions of Carriage. This was considered, and still is, a first as no other organisation in the North Sea and Baltic areas had, or still has, produced any other standard conditions.

3 / 1979
Nov 7/9

Rockanje (Netherland)
[Tor Line]

Production of the North Sea Standard Conditions of Carriage.

4 / 1980
Oct 15/17

Sandefjord (Norway)
[Tor Line]

Adoption of NSSCC, with amendments to clauses 4, 11, 12, 17, 21.

5 / 1981
Oct 13/15

"Peter Pan" Travemünde

(Germany-Sweden)

[ITLinie]

The following subjects were then discussed in accordance with the agenda:- Rules relating to passengers and passengers' belongings and vehicles on board cargo ferries. The TOR MERCIA case from Sweden's Supreme Court. The duty of the shipper to examine the article of transport before loading in cases where the Line has supplied the article of transport. Rules regarding liens on goods as well as goods in articles of transport. Shipper's right to set-off for alleged damage or loss against freight payable. Problems for the carrier in holding liable a party responsible for damage or loss in combined transport operations. Mr. Slotte expressed his desire to relinquish his position as Chairman owing to the uncertainty of his future committments. Mr. Davison proposed that the chair should in future be held by the representative of whichever member hosted a meeting. Mr. Kuusniemi was therefore proposed as Chairman in 1982, and he accepted the appointment, which was unanimously approved by the meeting. 

6 / 1982
Sept 7/9

"MS Finlandia"
(Sweden-Finland)

 [Effoa]

Stevedoring liability regimes in various countries.
Permanent conference Secretariat formed.
General liability clause produced for inclusion in stevedoring contracts.

7 / 1983
Sept 20/22

Antwerp (Belgium)
[Marine Claims Bureau]

NSSCC presented to the ICC for approval.

8 / 1984
Sept 19/21

"MS Kronprinsessan Victoria"
(Sweden-Germany)

[Stena]

Beginning of discussions on jurisdiction clauses.

9 / 1985
Oct 10/11

Ch. de Maffliers Val d'Oise (France)
[CGM]

Blue card amended.
NSSCC Clauses 11, 13 & 17 amended.
Drafting of a standard set of clauses for Passenger conditions commenced.

10 / 1986
Oct 1/3

Brockenhurst (United Kingdom)
[United Baltic]

Discussion on the carriage of dangerous goods.
Discussion on the exercise of lien in multimodal transport.

11 / 1987
Oct 7/9

"MS Dana Gloria"
(Denmark-Norway)
[DFDS]

Final amendment to NSSCC and the inclusion of dangerous goods clauses as per
IMDG completed for issue as 1 January 1988 version.

12 / 1988
Oct 5/7

Vlissingen (Netherland)
[ITLinie/Olau]

Dangerous goods clause updated to accord with amendment 24 of IMDG.

13 / 1989
Oct 9/11

Bergen (Norway)
[Nor Cargo]

Max Slotte retired as Secretary of the Conference, after 15 years of service.
Discussion on the Hamburg Rules.North Sea Standard Conditions of Carriage. Law and Jurisdiction Clause in the Standard Conditions of Carriage. C.M.R. Convention. Salvage Operations.
The position of Vice-Chairman to the conference, created.

14 / 1990
Oct 16/18

"MS Hamburg"
(Germany-UK)
[DFDS]

Position of the Chairman & Secretary, made permanent. Vice-Chairman position, made re-electable.

15 / 1991
Oct 15/17

Kiliney (Ireland)
[Sealink]

Blue and Yellow cards revised.

16 / 1992
Sept 21/23

"MS Silja Serenade"
(Sweden-Finland)

[Finncarriers]

NSOCC Ties and Scarves made available for delegates.
Law and Jurisdiction clause amendments unanimously rejected as a standard.
Individual members may use modified versions of NSSCC providing NSSCC not stated.

17 / 1993
Sept 20/22

"MS Danielle Casanova"
(France-Corsica )
[CGM]

Criteria for conference membership established, to include any retired Conference member.

18 / 1994
Oct 10/12

Lumley Castle, Newcastle, Chester-Ie-Street (United Kingdom)
[North of England P &I]

Working party to amend NSSCC in line with the new Nordic Maritime Code.
(See appendix 2 for the amended version). John Nicholls appointed as Vice-Chairman.

19 / 1995
Sept 11/13

Royal Christiania Hotel, Oslo (Norway)
[Fred Olsen & Co]

NSSCC amended to incorporate Nordic Maritime Codes, amendment 27 of IMDG and Time Bar in combined transport reduced from 11 to 9 months in line with 1995 version of Combiconbill. Lapel badges/Scarf pins available for the first time.

20 / 1996
Oct 7/9

Sofitel / Europlaza, Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
[West of England Ins Srvs]

Discussion on a requested modification of clause 7.2 (deck Cargo) of NSSCC. No change recommended. Update of Incorporation clause for Non-negotiable waybills to include applicable law (Nordic Maritime Codes). Mike Stamford retired as Joint Vice-Chairman of Conference

21 / 1997
Sept 29/Oct1

Inntel, Rotterdam
(Netherlands)
[Post & Co (P & I) BV & Stena
Line (Holland) BV]

Barry McGee and Marion Hall, Andrew Weir Shipping, retired as Chairman and Secretary at the end of the Conference. John Nicholls and Sally Brice, Through Transport Mutual Services Ltd. U.K., elected as Chairman and Secretary. Discussion on Gencon 94 and the law as applied in Belgium. Presentation from round the world yacht's persons ("Toshiba Wave Warrior").
Per Kristiansson, Tor Line AB, elected Vice-Chairman.

22 / 1998
Sept 28/30

Cardiff Bay Hotel (Wales)
[Andrew Weir Shipping Ltd]

The need to update the Blue Card was identified. Working party to present new draft document at 1999 conference. Request for discussion on Carriers Liability Act (immigration).

23 / 1999
Sept 27/29

Lubeck (Germany)
[TTLine GmbH)

Approval of revised Blue and Yellow card.

24 / 2000
Sept 18/20

Oxford (UK)
[Thomas Cooper & Stibbard]

Revising the North Sea Standard Conditions of Carriage.

25 / 2001
Sept 17/19

Gothenburg (Sweden)
[DFDS Tor Line A/S]

1. Shipping & claims handling in an electronic environment
2. Mediation

26 / 2002
Sept 23/25

Antwerp (Belgium)
[TT Club]

1. The problem of stowaways (P. Bartolo).
2. Changes in Intermodal Transport.
3. Suing under a bill of lading / jurisdiction.

27 / 2003
Sept 15/17

Copenhagen (Denmark)
[Scandlines & SKULD]

1. Latest update on CMR.
2. Clarification ISPS Code / Port Security, the EU-view.
John Nicholls retired as Chairman. Thomas Bjorn Larsen (SKULD - Copenhagen) elected.

28 / 2004
Sept 27/29

St. Malo (France)
[Holman Fenwick & Willan]

Overview of the ISPS Code: ISPS Practical Problems for Ships. Port Security Crew and Third Parties. ISPS and Charter Parties, Special Regimes for US and Canadian Cargo. P&I Aspects. Multi-modal Carriage and ISPS. ISPS and Sea-going Hooligan (Oil / ballast / bunker pollution at sea). Aida Kleinitz Schultz, Conference Secretary. NSOCC Managing Board is established: Thomas Bjorn Larsen (SKULD - Copenhagen) as Chairman, Kirsten Gade (Scandlines - Copenhagen) & Adry Poelmans (Van Doosselaere Advocaten - Antwerpen) as Board members and Andres Sanchez-Marin as Manager, NSOCC Treasurer (Hamburg).

29 / 2005
Oct 3/5

Edinburgh (Scotland)
[UK Mutual Steam Ship Association (Bermuda) Ltd]
[Brodies Solicitors, Edinburgh]
[Henderson Boyd Jackson]

The changing world of short sea transport, the contractual matrixes that operators are faced with, liability regimes that shift from mode of transport and from country to country.

30 / 2006
Sept 25/27

Brugge (Belgium)
[Cobelfret]

Update on developments in the Uncitral work on a door-to-Door Convention. Logistics Contracts, Insurance possibilities beyond ordinary liability, Insurance for carriage, limitation of liability and related issues. Customs law in Europe, carriers' liability for Customs & Excise

31 / 2007
Sept 24/26

Bristol (UK)
[West of England Ins Srvs]

The new Budapest convention on inland navigation. Personal injuries: crew, passengers, stevedores. Amendments to SOLAS 2006. Risk management: customer and provider perspectives. Modern dispute resolution

32 / 2008
Sept 21/24

Palanga (Lithuania)
[DFDS]

The Bunkers convention. The Maritime Legal environment in Lithuania. The Uncitral Convention - A new regime likely to do away with The Hague Visby Rules. Panel discussion on the interplay of insurers.

33 / 2009
Nov 23/25

Hamburg (Germany)
[SKULD Germany GMBH]

New developments in English insurance law, the role of the broker. Potential unlimited liabilities in bailment for “unintended goods”. Rotterdam Rules again and their compatibility with the North Sea Conditions of Carriage. NSOCC Blue and Yellow Card suggested changes. Blue Card / Green Card, Working group. Reefer Cargoes on vessels and the role of a surveyor acting for clubs and owners on Ro Ro casualties.

34 / 2010
Sept 13/15

“MS Nordnorge” Hurtigruten, Bergen (Norway)
[Gard]

Securing of Cargo in Different Transport Modes. Ro Ro Operators' Liability for Goods Received on Terminal, also re. Rotterdam Rules. Blue Card / Green Card, working group, headed by Mr. Michel Vandenbroucke, reporting. Future of Conference. The Chairman, requesting input from delegates, how the conference should be shaped in the future: more of the same, evolution or revolution?

35 / 2011
Sept 19/21

Rotterdam (Netherlands)
[Post & Co (P&I) B.V. / Transfennica / Van Harmelen Beijneveld Van Houten Adv.]

European Regulations and Transport. From Short Sea Shipping to Short Multimodal Transport. Claims and Liability Issues. Limitation of Liability - New issues. Container stacking problems in Shortsea. eCustoms and transport.

36 / 2012
Sept 3/5

Lumley Castle, Newcastle, Chester-Ie-Street (United Kingdom)
[North of England P &I]

Marine Accident Prevention. Bridge Team Management. Passenger Incidents and Disorder on board: A Legal Framework. From the NSOCC Managing Board: Thomas Bjørn Larsen (Skuld Germany GmbH - Hamburg) retired as Chairman. Andy Macrow (West of England - London) elected Chairman. Martynas Jonkus (AB DFDS Seaways - Klaipëda) elected vice-Chairman. Adry Poelmans (Van Doosselaere Advocaten - Antwerpen) retired from the Board. Jakob Gjølbo (Legalink Danmark - Copenhagen) elected in his place.

37 / 2013
Sept 2/4

Gothenburg (Sweden)
[Stena Line AB]

Anti-competition issues. Maritime Resource Management. Claims in respect of temperature-controlled cargo. Impact of the Jackson Reforms. Consequential loss issues. Unlimited liability for Terminals in direct actions. Passenger issues arising from the PLR regime and EU Regulations on Passenger Rights.

38 / 2014
Sept 8/9

Copenhagen (Denmark)
[Gorrissen Federspiel]

Dealing with a major casualty – a case study based on “LISCO GLORIA”. Passenger Compensation Claims. Wreck Removal update: The Nairobi Convention. Pilot Error. NSOCC issues: a) Green Card Problems – time for a change: is the future purple? b) Web-site c) NSOCC 2015. From the NSOCC Managing Board: Kirsten Gade (Scandlines - Copenhagen) leaves the board.

39 / 2015
Sept 28/29

Bridgewood Manor, Chatham (United Kingdom)
[West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A.]

The new BIMCO Ropaxtime Charter Party. Transporting goods that require refrigerated and/or atmosphere-controlled trailers or containers. Discussion of the relative powers of the MAIB and the MCA in the investigation of UK maritime incidents. Costs and its control of wreck removal. Heavy Weather claims. Update on the OW Bunkers bankruptcy case. Claims arising from “Fear of Loss”. Personal Injury. Analysis of collisions using the concerned vessels’ VDR data. Background of the NORMAN ATLANTIC casualty. Problems that can arise due to Government intervention in dealing with casualties. Lloyds Open Form system for determining salvage awards. From the NSOCC Managing Board: Jens Mathiasen (Gorrissen Federspiel – Copenhagen) steps on as member of the board.

40 / 2016
Oct 3/4

Elzenveld Hotel, Antwerp (Belgium)
[AON Risk Solutions, Rotterdam]

NSOCC 40th Session. Newbuilding risks. Common issues in shipbuilding contract disputes. GA – You couldn’t make it up!. Antwerp Maritime Academy - Hogere Zeevaartschool Antwerpen: Navigation simulator. Off-spec bunkers, Practical problems, Legal issues. The role of CCTV in collection evidence on terminals & ships, Practical problems, Legal issues. Specific liability and compensation regimes for pollution damage - Speaking as a general rule…? Ro-Ro vessel external aerodynamics and consequences for cargo. Collision reconstruction and simulation.

41 / 2017
Oct 9/11

MS CROWN SEAWAYS, Copenhagen-Oslo
[DFDS Seaways]

The Customer Journey. Protecting the bottom line. Battling Cargo Claimants in Germany – Oddities and Pitfalls. Reefer Cargo Claims. Autonomous vessel, cyber security and casualty response. The Fram Museum, Norwegian polar exploration. Autonomous vessel, insurance issues. Water Ballast Management Convention, practical implications. From tort to court: an overview of law and procedure on passenger injury and illness claims. "NORMAN ATLANTIC" - An Update.

42 / 2018
Oct 8/9

Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki (Finland)
[Finnlines Oyj]

Heavy Weather Defences. Cargo securing in CTUs and securing of CTUs/cargo onboard. Athens Convention: Shipowners’ liabilities – start & finish?. Casualty workshop. NOMA: The Nordic Offshore & Maritime Association. Digitalisation. Panel discussion: The Hague-Visby Rules, the Nordic Code & the German Code – conflict and comparison. From the NSOCC Managing Board: Andy Macrow (West of England - London) retired as Chairman. Rune Dybedal (The North of England P&I Association Limited - Newcastle upon Thyne) elected Chairman.

43 / 2019
Oct 7/8

Novotel Hotel, Ipswich (United Kingdom)
[Birketts LLP]

Key Points for Defending Cargo Claims under English Law. Salvage Sale of Cargo. Everything you ever wanted to know about Liens.
Personal Injury Claims. Passenger Rights. Stowaways - Security Removal. Reefer Temperature Logs and Claims Following Shipment of Fruit & Vegetables in Temperature Controlled Trailers / Containers. Post-Harvest problems with Fruit & Vegetables. Port of Ipswich Operation.

44 / 2022
Oct 10/12

“MS Color Magic” (Oslo-Kiel)
[Color Line. Sartori & Berger]

Division of liabilities between P&I clubs involving the IG pool and reinsurance. Whether land or sea transport laws will apply to multimodal transport. Overview and status on MIB / MCA UK and the similar in Denmark, MIB and Police. Ships arrests in Norway. The Stockholm agreement and other regulations applying to stability of ro-ro vessels. Crew fatalities during cargo operations. DEEE’s in the workplace.

45 / 2023
Oct 9/10

Grosvenor Hotel, Glasgow (Scotland, United Kingdom)
[Horwich Farrelly Glasgow. Brookes Bell Liverpool]

Lithium-Ion Batteries and the Challenges for Shipping. Conducting a health & safety investigation following a serious incident. Scottish Criminal Court Overview. International comparison of compensation awards. Non-destructive Testing and Corrosion Mapping. Subsea Cable Damage. Crane collapse. Role of the Government on maritime Emergencies.

46 / 2024
Oct 7/8

Leonardo Rembrandtpark Hotel, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
[Dutch P&I. Marine Masters. Dock Legal Experts]

Carriage of electric vehicles: are they putting the fire defence under tension?. Lithium-Ion Batteries - Risks and Mitigations. Casualty Scenario in the North Sea. Conditions of carriage for electric vehicles. MV Fremantle Highway: facing high risks (fire onboard, war zone area’s) from a crew’s perspective” / P&I crew cover for mental illness. The possibilities under Dutch law to obtain evidence (court surveyor) and maybe how to prevent that?

47 / 2025
Sept 29 / Oct 1

Hamburg (Germany)
[SKULD Germany GmbH]

TBA