Sign up
Log in Sign up
Thu 23 Jul 2009, 07:31 GMT

MARPOL amendments: ship-to-ship oil transfer


Ammendments adopted for the transfer of oil cargo between tankers at sea.

Amendments to the MARPOL Convention to prevent pollution during ship-to-ship oil transfer operations were adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) when it met for its 59th session from 13 to 17 July 2009, at the IMO Headquarters in London.

MARPOL amendments - transfer of oil cargo between oil tankers at sea

The MEPC adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex I for the prevention of marine pollution during some ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2011.

The new chapter 8 on Prevention of pollution during transfer of oil cargo between oil tankers at sea will apply to oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above and will require any oil tanker involved in oil cargo STS operations to have, on board, a plan prescribing how to conduct STS operations (the STS Plan), which would be approved by its Administration.

Notification to the relevant coastal State will be required not less than 48 hours in advance of the scheduled STS operations although some relaxation to this rule is allowed in certain, very specific, cases. The regulations are not intended to apply to bunkering operations.

Consequential amendments to the International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate, the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate and the Oil Record Book were also adopted.

Oil residue (sludge) MARPOL amendments

Amendments to MARPOL Annex I regulations 1, 12, 13, 17 and 38, relating to the on board management of oil residue (sludge), were also adopted. The amendments clarify long standing requirements and remove existing ambiguities in order to facilitate compliance by ships' crews. Definitions for oil residue (sludge), oil residue (sludge) tanks, oily bilge water and oily bilge water holding tanks are introduced for the first time.

Related amendments to the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate, Form A and Form B, and to the Oil Record Book were also adopted. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2011.

Seatransport 73m SLV Lloyd’s Register grants approval for hybrid nuclear power design for amphibious vessels  

Classification society approves Seatransport’s concept integrating micro modular reactors with diesel-electric systems.
Everllence ME-LGIE engine. Everllence and Vale partner on ethanol-powered marine engine development  

Brazilian mining company to develop dual-fuel ethanol engines based on ME-LGI platform.
India flag. Emvolon highlights biomethanol as a solution to unlock India’s biogas potential  

Company says distributed biogas-to-biomethanol production could bridge rural feedstock with maritime fuel demand.
Grande Svezia vessel. Grimaldi's Grande Svezia makes inaugural Le Havre call with ammonia-ready design  

Second of 10 new-generation PCTCs features 5 MWh battery system and cold ironing capability.
Cable lay vessel (CLV) render. Kongsberg Maritime to supply integrated systems for LS Marine Solution cable lay vessel  

Norwegian technology provider wins contract for ultra-large vessel being built at Tersan Shipyard in Türkiye.
Maersk Finisterre vessel. Synergy Marine takes on management of methanol dual-fuel container vessel  

The 5,915-teu Maersk Finisterre joins Synergy's fleet under technical management from Synergy Pacific.
Pristine ABP Port Office. Verde Marine Energy appoints Steve Taylor as UK director  

Taylor will be based on the River Humber, working with Vertom Group businesses.
Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS). Mitsubishi Shipbuilding delivers first ammonia fuel supply systems for marine engines  

Systems shipped to Japan Engine Corporation for integration with an ammonia-fuelled marine engine.
Power2X and HyCC logos. Power2X acquires HyCC to expand green hydrogen portfolio in the Netherlands and Germany  

Deal consolidates clean molecules sector as projects transition from development to large-scale delivery phase.
Person signing a document. RFOcean signs binding e-methanol supply deal with ETFuels from 2030  

European shipping company secures fixed-price green fuel ahead of escalating EU maritime emissions penalties.




 Recommended