Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) in IMO GISIS

Introduction: Why Hazardous and Noxious Substances Are a Growing Maritime Risk

Modern shipping is no longer limited to transporting oil and traditional bulk cargoes. Every day, ships carry thousands of chemical substances, liquefied gases, fertilizers, acids, solvents, and other industrial products essential to the global economy. Many of these cargoes are classified as hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) because they pose serious risks to human health, the marine environment, and coastal economies if released into the sea.

Unlike oil spills, which are widely understood and regulated, HNS incidents can involve fire, explosion, toxicity, corrosion, long-term contamination, or invisible chemical exposure. Their impacts may be immediate or delayed, localized or widespread, and often require highly specialized response measures.

To address these complex risks, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) developed a dedicated international liability and compensation regime for HNS incidents. Information related to this framework is made available through the “Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)” module of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

This article provides a comprehensive introduction and practical guide to the HNS option in GISIS. It explains what HNS are, why they require special regulation, how the international compensation system works, what information is available in GISIS, and why this module is essential for administrations, shipowners, insurers, legal professionals, educators, and maritime stakeholders worldwide.

Understanding GISIS and Its Role in Maritime Risk Governance

What Is the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System?

The IMO GISIS (Global Integrated Shipping Information System) is an online platform managed by the International Maritime Organization that provides transparent and reliable data on ships, companies, flag States, and maritime compliance. It brings together information on safety, security, pollution prevention, port State control, and casualty reports in one place. For seafarers, maritime professionals, researchers, and regulators, IMO GISIS is a trusted tool to check vessel records, track compliance with IMO conventions, and understand global shipping performance. Its free public access supports safer seas, better regulation, and informed decision-making across the maritime industry.

The HNS module focuses on chemical and non-oil pollution risks, complementing the oil pollution compensation framework.

What Are Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)?

Definition of HNS

Hazardous and Noxious Substances are substances which, if released into the marine environment, can cause:

Injury or death to humans
Damage to marine life and ecosystems
Pollution of coastlines and ports
Economic loss to fisheries, tourism, and communities

HNS include substances that are:

Toxic
Flammable
Explosive
Corrosive
Reactive

Examples of HNS Cargoes

HNS carried by sea include:

Chemicals carried in bulk (acids, alcohols, solvents)
Liquefied gases (LPG, LNG, ammonia)
Dangerous packaged goods
Fertilizers and industrial feedstocks

These substances are regulated under multiple IMO instruments, but liability and compensation require a dedicated framework.

Why HNS Incidents Require a Separate Compensation Regime

Complexity of HNS Pollution

Unlike oil spills:

HNS releases may not be visible
Effects may be delayed or long-term
Response techniques vary widely
Health impacts may outweigh environmental damage

This complexity makes traditional oil compensation systems insufficient.

Cross-Border and Multi-Stakeholder Impacts

An HNS incident may involve:

A ship registered in one country
Cargo interests in another
A spill affecting several coastal States

Without international rules, victims may face legal uncertainty and delayed compensation.

Legal Framework: The HNS Convention

Overview of the HNS Convention

The International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS Convention) establishes a global system for compensation when HNS incidents occur.

The convention aims to:

Ensure prompt and adequate compensation
Establish clear liability rules
Share financial responsibility fairly

Relationship with Other IMO Compensation Conventions

The HNS Convention complements:

CLC and FUND Conventions (oil pollution from tankers)
Bunkers Convention (bunker oil pollution)

Together, these instruments cover most pollution risks from ships.

Key Principles of the HNS Liability and Compensation System

Strict Liability of Shipowners

Under the HNS Convention:

Shipowners are strictly liable for damage
Victims do not need to prove fault
Liability applies regardless of negligence

This ensures rapid access to compensation.

Compulsory Insurance

Shipowners carrying HNS must:

Maintain compulsory insurance or financial security
Carry certificates onboard
Allow direct claims against insurers

This guarantees financial backing.

Two-Tier Compensation System

The HNS regime uses a two-tier system:

First tier – Shipowner liability (insured)
Second tier – HNS Fund, financed by cargo interests

This ensures compensation even when damage exceeds shipowner limits.

Purpose of the HNS Module in GISIS

Core Objectives

The HNS module in GISIS aims to:

Provide information on the HNS Convention framework
Support understanding of liability and compensation mechanisms
Improve transparency on treaty participation
Assist administrations, insurers, and legal professionals

It is a reference and governance tool, not a claims-processing platform.

What Information Is Available in the GISIS HNS Module?

Types of Information Provided

Depending on Member State submissions and IMO publication scope, the module may include:

Information on participation in the HNS Convention
References to liability and compensation arrangements
Administrative information supporting implementation
Links to related IMO legal instruments

Confidential claims data and commercial details are not disclosed.

Who Uses the HNS Module?

Coastal and Flag State Administrations

Administrations use HNS information to:

Prepare for chemical spill incidents
Establish legal and institutional frameworks
Coordinate with insurers and responders

Shipowners and Operators

Shipowners rely on the HNS framework to:

Understand liability exposure
Arrange mandatory insurance
Manage operational and contractual risk

Insurers and Legal Professionals

The HNS module supports:

Claims handling
Legal interpretation
Cross-border cooperation

How to Access the HNS Module in GISIS

Step 1: Access the GISIS Platform

Users access GISIS through the IMO website.

Step 2: Select “Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)”

From the list of GISIS modules, users select Hazardous and Noxious Substances.

Step 3: Review Available Information

Users can:

Understand the HNS compensation framework
Identify applicable conventions
Use the information for education and preparedness

Importance of HNS Compensation for Environmental and Human Safety

Protecting Human Health

HNS incidents can cause:

Acute poisoning
Long-term health effects
Evacuation of ports and coastal areas

Compensation ensures medical care and recovery costs are covered.

Supporting Environmental Restoration

Funds are used to:

Clean contaminated waters and shorelines
Restore ecosystems
Monitor long-term impacts

Relationship with Other GISIS Modules

The HNS module complements:

Oil Pollution Compensation – tanker and bunker spills
Marine Casualties and Incidents – accident causes
Pollution Prevention Equipment – risk mitigation
Port State Control – insurance verification
Status of Treaties – convention applicability

Together, these modules support prevention, response, liability, and recovery.

Common Misunderstandings About HNS

HNS Is Not Only About Chemicals

HNS includes gases, solids, liquids, and packaged goods—not only bulk chemicals.

HNS Compensation Is Separate from Oil Regimes

Oil pollution is excluded from the HNS Convention and covered under separate conventions.

Best Practices for Using the GISIS HNS Module

Use it as an official legal reference
Understand which cargoes fall under HNS
Integrate HNS awareness into emergency planning
Combine GISIS information with national legislation and insurance guidance

Educational Value for Maritime Training and Academia

For maritime education, the HNS module provides:

Insight into chemical spill governance
Understanding of maritime liability law
Real-world context for risk and compensation systems

It is especially useful in courses on:

Maritime law
Marine environmental protection
Chemical tanker operations
Emergency response and preparedness

HNS Governance in the Future of Shipping

Growing Chemical Trade

As global chemical transport increases:

HNS risks will grow
Response complexity will increase
Compensation systems will become more important

Role of Digital Platforms like GISIS

GISIS supports:

Legal clarity
Capacity building
International cooperation

Conclusion: Managing Invisible but Severe Maritime Risks

The Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) option in the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System addresses one of the most complex and potentially severe risks in modern shipping.

By providing structured information on liability and compensation under the HNS Convention, the GISIS HNS module helps ensure that when chemical or non-oil pollution incidents occur, victims are compensated, responsibilities are clear, and environmental recovery is possible.

For administrations, shipowners, insurers, legal professionals, educators, researchers, and students, this module offers a trusted and authoritative gateway into a critical but often overlooked area of maritime governance.

In an industry increasingly defined by complexity and responsibility, effective HNS regulation—supported by GISIS—is essential for safe, resilient, and sustainable global shipping.

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