50. The ILO CoNnittee has al€o eeated that extensive research is needed into theactual conditions prevaillng ln these offshore activitles, and that informatloh onsafety and health protectlon measures rrill be partlcularly useful. In thlsrespect, it nay be noted that the tripartite ILO petroleum Conmlttee will neet. lnApril 1985 and will be exanining develogflents and problems in the offshorepetroreun industry, in partlcuLar in the fields of occupational safety and health and nanpouer planning, C. Envlronnental law 1. Prevention and control of marine pollution from ships 51. I{ARPOL 73178, The International convention for the prevention of pollution from Shipe, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (t4ARpOL 73/78,, now covers more than 80 per cene of the worldrs nerchant Connage and is in force Hith 38 States parties. Amendments to the Convention, adopted in 1984, eill enter intoforce on 7 January 1986. 52. The IMO Council at its flfty-fourth session noted the viet s and suggestions nade on the adeguate provision of r€cept,ion facllities in porEs (seeart. 2Il. (6) (a) of the Convention on the Lar' of the Sea). MO is to draw theaftention of Governnents to the fact that the provislon of necessary receptionfacillties for oil and chemlcal residu€s ia essential for the aucceasful impl ernentation of I{ARPOL 73,/78. 53. Civil liability and co,npenaatlon. The 1984 protocols amending theInternatlonal @nvention on Civil Liabtlity for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, and theInternatlonal Convention on Che Establishment of an Internatlonal Fund for Conpenaation for Oil Pollutlon Danurge, 1971, renain open for signaEure andratification, and eacb ha6 been signed by nine States. Bhe 1984 protocols increageliability limits for oiL 6pill danages contained ln the original conventions, extend the application of the conventlons to a Iintt of 200-ntles, cover the costsof preventive meagures and restorati,on, and add nen categorles of vessels. 54. The IMO Legal Cormitt.ee has under consideration a posslble new conventlon onliability and conpensation for damage in connection rrith the carriage of noxlous and hazardous subslances by sea.
**Analysis**
The text discusses international conventions and regulations related to offshore petroleum activities, marine pollution, and civil liability for oil pollution damage. It also mentions the importance of research into the conditions of offshore activities and the need for adequate reception facilities for oil and chemical residues. These topics suggest that the text is primarily concerned with environmental and economic issues.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Industry, Transport and communication