The ISCO Council was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Thomas Liebert, who had been bravely fighting cancer for over three years.   Thomas passed away peacefully at the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, surrounded by his family.

Thomas was well known in the international maritime community having joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2001 as a Technical Officer in the Marine Environment Divison.   

In 2003 Thomas moved to Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), overseeing Industry and Government partnerships to promote oil industry best practices on oil spill preparedness and response.    This included fostering improved links between the industry, IMO and IPIECA and the development of the “Global Initiative” programme.

A period as OSRL Advocacy Manager was followed by a move to Singapore where he spent four years developing and managing the oil pollution preparedness and response services of OSRL for the Asia Pacific region.   Returning to OSRL Southampton in 2010, Thomas became Global Head of Operations before leaving to join the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) as Head, External Relations and Conference Department.

Thomas was an accomplished communicator and was fluent in several languages, tirelessly representing the IOPC Funds at numerous international events, somehow finding the time to also study for an MSc in Environmental Law. 

His cheerful demeanour and boundless energy will be as fondly remembered as he will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues alike.  We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

A condolence book will be opened and if members would like to submit a message of condolence, ISCO will be pleased to collate these and pass them on to the family via the IOPC Funds.