Liability of Ship Owners for LNG Spills in Iranian Law
Subject Areas : Maritime law
1 - Master of Private Law, Department of Law, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran.
Keywords: Civil liability, LNG leakage, shipowners, environmental damage compensation, Iranian maritime law ,
Abstract :
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG¹), as an emerging and strategic energy source in the maritime transport industry, despite its economic and environmental advantages, can cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems and navigation safety in the event of leakage. In Iranian law, LNG leakage from ships is regarded as a novel and complex issue in the realm of civil liability, which, due to legislative gaps, has raised numerous legal questions. This article aims to clarify the foundations and scope of shipowners’ liability in the event of LNG leakage and explores the conditions under which such liability may be mitigated or excluded—such as unforeseen technical defects despite adherence to inspection and maintenance protocols. Furthermore, the role of governmental authorities in compelling shipowners to bear the costs of environmental cleanup, even in the absence of direct fault, is critically analyzed. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, drawing on statutory law, Islamic jurisprudential principles, and legal doctrines, and concludes by proposing practical solutions for enhancing the civil liability framework within Iran’s maritime transport sector.
1. Ghorbani, N. (2021). "Liquefied Natural Gas and Its Applications in Maritime Transportation". Energy and Environment Journal, No. [In Persian]
2. Abbasi, M. (2021). "Environmental Consequences of LNG Spillage". Iranian Environmental Journal, No. 7. . [In Persian]
3. Nemati, M. (2019). Civil Liability Due to Marine Pollution by Crude Oil. Tehran: Tehran University Press. [In Persian]
4. Zare, A. (2021). “A Comparative Study of Environmental Pollution Liability in Maritime Transportation.” Journal of Environmental Law, No. 12. [In Persian]
5. Karimi, R. (2018). Shipowner's Liability for Spillage of Hazardous Materials. Master's Thesis, University of Guilan. [In Persian]
6. Mahmoudi, H. (2021). "Legal Challenges of LNG Spill in Iranian Maritime Transport". Maritime Law Journal, No. [In Persian]
7. Mufid, M. (1937). The Book of Guidance. Translation and research: Mehdi Rajaee. Tehran: Islamic Culture Publishing House, Vol. 2. [In Persian]
8. Najafi, M. (2003). Jewels of the Word in the Explanation of the Islamic Laws. Tehran: Daral-e-Kutub al-Islamiyya, vol. 26. [In Persian]
9. Katouzian, Nasser. (2013). Civil Law: Legal Events (Civil Liability). Tehran: Publishing Company. [In Persian]
10. Martyr Thani,Al-Rawdha al-Bahiya in the commentary on Al-Luma’at al-Damascus, vol. 6. [In Persian]
11. Majidi, Mohammad. (2019). Environmental Law and Civil Liability. Tehran: Mizan Publications. [In Persian]
12. Raisi, E. (2018). Environmental Law of Iran. Tehran: Jangal Publications. [In Persian]
13. Imam Khomeini, S R. (1984). Tahrir al-Wasilah. Tehran: Institute for the Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, Vol. 2. [In Persian]
14. Mousavi, S M. (1400). Civil Liability in Environmental Law. Tehran: Tehran University Press. [In Persian]
15. Azadi, M (2018). Environmental Law and Sustainable Development. Tehran: Samt Publications. [In Persian]
16. Seyed Ahmadi, Z. (1400). Civil Liability Due to Environmental Pollution. Tehran: Mizan Publications. [In Persian]
17. Pishvaei, M. (2012). Civil Liability Law. Tehran: Mizan Publications. [In Persian]
18. Moeiri, Ali. (2017). Marine Environmental Law. Tehran: Jangal Publications. [In Persian]
19. Boyle, A. (2018). Maritime Environmental Law and LNG Transportation. London: Routledge.
20. Stephens, J. (2020). Legal Challenges in LNG Shipping: Risk and Liability. Journal of Maritime Law, 15(2).
21. Wang, X., & Li, Y. (2021). Insurance Models for LNG Spill Damage Compensation in Asia. Asian Journal of Maritime Studies, 9(1).
22. Smith, R. (2020). LNG: Properties and Environmental Impact. Energy Journal, 45(3).
23. Ali, S. (2021). Environmental Risks of LNG Spills in Marine Ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 14(4).
24. Thomas, L. (2022). Methane Emissions and Climate Change. Environmental Science Review, 12(1).
25. Johnson, P. (2019). Environmental Risks of LNG Spills in Marine Ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 14(4).
26. Zahdi, M. (2021). Civil Liability for LNG Spills: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Environmental Law, 27(1).
27. Smith, R. (2018). LNG Transportation Safety. Marine Energy Review, 12(2).
28. Jones, T. (2020). Legal Aspects of Maritime Pollution. International Maritime Law Journal, 18(4).
29. Miller, D. (2019). Risk Management in LNG Shipping. Journal of Shipping and Trade, 6(2).