What does the CLC apply to, what is the certificate threshold, and what are the tiers of compensation?

flowchart LR
  A["Tier 1: CLC, the registered owner up to the tonnage limit, compulsory insurance"] --> B["Tier 2: 1992 IOPC Fund, paid by oil receivers"]
  B --> C["Tier 3: Supplementary Fund (2003 Protocol) for member States"]

• Applies to: pollution damage from persistent oil carried as cargo by a laden tanker, in a State Party’s territory, territorial sea and EEZ, plus preventive measures; strict liability channelled to the registered owner.
• Threshold: the compulsory insurance and CLC certificate apply to a ship carrying more than 2,000 tons of persistent oil in bulk as cargo: a quantity of oil, not a gross-tonnage figure.
• Tier 1, the CLC: the registered owner, strictly liable up to a tonnage-based limit (unless personal fault), backed by compulsory insurance with direct action against the insurer.
• Tier 2, the 1992 IOPC Fund: additional compensation where the CLC is insufficient, the owner exonerated or unable to pay, financed by oil receivers in member States.
• Tier 3, the Supplementary Fund (2003 Protocol): a further, much higher layer for States that joined.
• India: MS Act 2025 s.175 to 179 (application, liability, limitation, certificate), s.214 and 216 (the Fund); DGMA issues the certificate; I prevent the spill and keep it valid.