Applicability: All owners and technical managers of oil and chemical tankers and ships with installed process plant
Further to Classification News no.39/2011, new SOLAS regulation VI/5-2* will enter into force on 1 January, 2014.
Prohibition of blending of bulk liquid cargoes
The regulation prohibits the blending of all MARPOL liquid cargoes during sea voyages. Physical blending refers to the process whereby the ship’s cargo pumps and pipelines are used to internally circulate two or more different cargoes with the intent to achieve a cargo with a new product designation.
This prohibition does not apply:
- when cargo transfers are undertaken for the safety of the ship and crew or protection of the marine environment;
- to the blending of products for use in the search and exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to facilitate such operations (e.g. offshore vessels).
Prohibition of production processes
The regulation prohibits production processes on board ships during sea voyages. Production processes refer to any deliberate operation whereby a chemical reaction between a ship’s cargo and any other substance or cargo takes place.
This prohibition does not apply to the production processes of cargoes for use in the search and exploitation of seabed mineral resources on board ships used to facilitate such operations (e.g. offshore vessels).
What to do now
Owners and technical managers are advised to contact the vessel’s flag state and coastal state for guidance and assistance before undertaking any such operations.
* Regulation VI/5-2 was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation at the 90th session of the Maritime Safety Committee through Resolution MSC.325(90)
For further information
Speak to one of our experts at your local Lloyd's Register office.