MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code

The International Maritime Organisations Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted a revised MARPOL 73/78 Annex II Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk in 2004 and will enter into force 1 January 2007 and will apply to both new and existing ships.

This revised Annex uses a new four-category pollution category system for noxious liquid substances; the exting A, B, C and D category system will become X,Y and Z .

The revised Annex includes a number of other significant changes. Improvements in ship technology, such as efficient stripping techniques, have made it possible to significantly lower permitted discharge levels of certain products and these have been incorporated into Annex II. For ships constructed on or after January 1, 2007 the maximum permitted residue in the tank and its associated piping left after discharge will be set at a maximum of 75 litres for products in categories X, Y and Z - compared with previous limits which set a maximum of 100, 300 or 900 litres with a 50 litre tolerance, depending on the product category and age of the ship.

In addition to the revision of Annex II, the marine pollution hazards of thousands of chemicals have been re-evaluated giving a resultant hazard profile which indexes the substance according to its bio-accumulation, bio-degradation, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, long-term health effects, and effects on marine wildlife and on benthic habitats.

As a result of the hazard evaluation process and the new categorisation system, vegetable oils which were previously categorised as being unrestricted will now be required to be carried in chemical tankers.

Identification of what cargoes can be carried on your ship(s) when the new requirements enter into force

Using the ship parameters held on record for vessels we have previously issued with an NLS certificate or Certificate of Fitness, we can determine which cargoes could be carried after January 1, 2007.

If you have not previously had NLS certification from Lloyds Register, then on completion of a questionnaire we can still provide you with details of the cargoes that could be carried after January 1, 2007.

If you have any proposed modifications to your vessel, we are able to analyse these proposals in order to determine which additional cargoes could be carried were these changes to be undertaken.

Approval of Procedures and Arrangements Manuals

Procedures and Arrangements Manuals for all ships carrying pollution category X, Y, or Z cargoes will require revision and re-approval before January 1, 2007. Lloyds Register is authorised by numerous administrations to carry out this approval on their behalf, and is also able to offer guidance in the correct compilation of these manuals.

Advisory services

After January 1, 2007, it may be a more viable option for instance to convert a product tanker to a chemical tanker. Lloyds Register Consultancy Services Group can offer guidance regarding the necessary modifications. The Statutory and Structures Services surveyors can approve the arrangements on behalf of many administrations, and issue certification and cargo lists for trading purposes.

If you would like to progress your enquiry further please choose one of the following: