Rethinking Environmental Salvage and Salvage Law:Towards an Efficient Mechanism for Environmental Emergency Response in Maritime Accidents?

Professional marine salvors who have the emergency response capacity to maritime casualties traditionally are rewarded on a ‘No Cure-No Pay' basis under the maritime law of salvage. However, in cases involving potentially significant environmental damage, such as distressed oil tankers, it may not provide adequate incentives as the benefit conferred is the prevention or minimization of environmental harm rather than property salvage. Additionally, salvors may face legal liabilities due to uncertainties.

Cost-effective environmental services by salvors in maritime accidents are socially desirable for the safety of navigation and environmental protection. This research delves into the salvage law and practice and their environmental implications. It employs a law and economics analysis to propose a new mechanism involving contractual and financial structures for 'environmental salvage'. The study also examines salvorial negligence and its consequences in environmental salvage. It aims to restore the balance between public and private interests in the field of marine salvage.