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South Africa's maritime transport legislation has not been updated in 33 years, particularly in terms of the set amount placed in an insurance fund to be utilised in the eventuality of an oil spill. Currently, the damages that can be claimed for oil spill pollution stand at R170-million. This amount has not been adjusted for inflation and is therefore drastically below the R9-billion that has now been set by international conventions. Furthermore, despite relentless lobbying, South Africa has not become a signatory to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC), which covers any extra costs accumulated from oil pollution clean-ups for signatory states. This lack of action by the Department of Transport is particularly alarming in consideration to the bulk carrier that is currently grounded at Blouberg beach with 30 000 tonnes of coal on board. The ship is also leaking oil that has been described as "thicker than crude oil". Should bad weather and rough seas damage the vessel further, it could lead to the blackening of Cape Town's beaches. The subsequent massive clean-up that will follow will have to be partly funded by the South African taxpayer due to the fact that South Africa is not an IOPC signatory state. The IOPC was set up in 1992 and according to its provisions; the owner of a tanker is liable to pay compensation up to a certain limit for oil pollution damage following an oil spill. If that amount does not cover all the admissible claims, further compensation is available from the fund if the damage occurs in an IOPC fund member state. Although the transport department has since published the Merchant Shipping (International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Bill which will make South Africa a signatory to the IOPC, this action has been taken after 15 years of relentless lobbying. Until the Act is promulgated, the taxpayer will have to foot part of the bill in the event of oil spills. The DA will be asking parliamentary questions with regard to when the Act will be promulgated.