Recent and upcoming new requirements
Amendments to IBC Code effective January 1, 2021
The 2019 amendments to the IBC Code - adopted by IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and MEPC.318(74) - enter into force on 1 January 2021, and revised Chapter 17 (the summary of minimum requirements) and Chapter 18 (the list of products to which the Code does not apply). The amendments apply to new and existing vessels which have IBC Code Certificates of Fitness and Noxious Liquid Substances Certificates. Offshore supply vessels with certificates of Fitness in compliance with 'LHNS Guidelines' (IMO Res. A.673(16)) or 'OSV Chemical Code' (IMO Res. A.1122(30)), also are affected. New certificates complying with these amendments must be on board from 1 January 2021. All loading after this date must be in accordance with the new certificates. When a cargo is loaded before 1 January 2021, and unloaded after this date, the relevant IBC Code provisions at the time of loading should apply until the cargo has been unloaded. See Class News No. 08/2020 for further guidance.
Amendments to MARPOL Annex II effective January 1, 2021
Amendments to MARPOL Annex II (Cargo residues and tank washings of persistent floating products) enter into force on 1 January 2021. These new amendments, adopted by IMO Resolution MEPC.315(74), have newly defined persistent floating products ("persistent floater(s)") and impose stricter prewash requirements. In addition, the new amendments also impact the standard format of the Procedures and Arrangements (P&A) Manual (Appendix IV of MARPOL Annex II). Therefore, P&A Manuals on board all ships shall be amended, as shown in MEPC.315(74), before 1 January 2021. See Class News No. 07/2020 for further guidance.
Introduction of OSV Code effective July 1, 2018
The IMO has adopted Resolution A.1122(30), the Code for the Transport and Handling of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels (OSV Chemical Code). The Code has been developed in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 11.2 of MARPOL Annex II and in recognition of the need for standards that provide an alternative to the IBC Code and IGC Code for offshore support vessels (OSVs). See Class News 12/2018 for further details.
Amendments effective January 1, 2016
New requirements have been introduced into the IBC Code by IMO Resolution MSC.369(93), to make the provision of a stability instrument mandatory on board all chemical tankers. The stability instrument shall be capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage stability requirements. See Class News No.17/2015 for further guidance.
For a more in-depth overview of upcoming changes to mandatory statutory regulations and instruments, see our Future IMO legislation page.
How does Lloyd's Register help?
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 1 January 2021. If you have not previously had NLS certification from Lloyd's Register, then on completion of a questionnaire, we can still provide you with details of the cargoes that could be carried after 1 January 2021. 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.
Advisory services
Lloyd's Register Consultancy Services Group can offer guidance regarding the necessary modifications when converting a product tanker to a chemical tanker. The Statutory and Structures Services surveyors can approve the arrangements on behalf of many administrations, and issue certification and cargo lists for trading purposes.