Although there is often a clear connection between the occurrence of oil spills at sea and maritime transportation, oil spill response and preparedness are not so centrally coordinated by the maritime industry the way they are within the oil industry. However there is a lot of interest within this sector in clean and safe transport, the prevention of oil spills and oil spill preparedness.

International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, ensuring that oil is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively. It is a forum where the industry meets, policies are discussed and statements are created. Membership is open to independent tanker owners and operators of oil and chemical tankers, i.e. non-oil companies and non-state controlled tanker owners, who fulfil the Association's membership criteria. As of January 2009, the organisation had 270 members, whose combined fleet comprises some 3,100 tankers. INTERTANKO's associate membership stands at some 300 companies with an interest in shipping of oil and chemicals. 

Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs

Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs are independent, non-profit making associations (or "Clubs"), which insure their shipowner members against various third-party liabilities, including oil pollution. Whilst each Club bears the first part of any claim, the concept of mutuality is extended by the 'pooling' of large claims by the major P&I Clubs that are members of the International Group (see the list of P&I Clubs within the International Group below).

To safeguard members in the event of a catastrophic claim above the limit of this 'pool', excess reinsurance is placed by the International Group Clubs on the world's insurance markets, in the case of oil pollution up to around US$1 billion. It should be emphasised, however, that this sum has no relevance in the vast majority of oil spill cases since it would only be available in rare circumstances, for example if a tanker owner lost the right to limit his liability under the CLC in a very expensive case.

Each P&I Club has full-time managers who deal with the day-to-day business of the Club. They are assisted by a worldwide network of commercial representatives (correspondents) who act as the Club's local contact at the site of an incident. The International Group of P&I Clubs are:

• American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc
• Assuranceforeningen Gard
• Assuranceforeningen Skuld
• The Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited
• The Japan Ship Owners' Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association
• The London Steam-Ship Owners' Mutual Insurance Association Limited
• The North of England Protection & Indemnity Association
• The Shipowners' Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association (Luxembourg)
• The Standard Steamship Owners' Protection & Indemnity Association (Bermuda) Limited
• The Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda) Limited
• The Swedish Club
• United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda) Limited
• The West of England Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association (Luxembourg) 

International Salvage Union

Leading salvage companies have set up the International Salvage Union (ISU) as an umbrella organisation to foster a wider understanding of the salvage industry's contribution to environmental protection and the recovery of property, and to promote efficient performance of salvage and pollution prevention services.

International Salvage Union (ISU) member salvors provide essential services for the world's maritime and insurance communities. The members of ISU are engaged in marine casualty response, pollution defence, wreck removal, cargo recovery, towage and related activities.