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The
London-based International Maritime Organisation IMO has adopted a revised,
accelerated phase-out scheme for single hull tankers.
The 50th session of the body's Marine Environment Protection Committee,
which met earlier this month, also adopted other measures including an
extended application of the Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) for tankers
and a new regulation banning the carriage of Heavy Grade Oil (HGO) in
single-hull tankers.
The amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating
thereto (MARPOL 73/78) were adopted at the meeting and are expected to enter
into force on 5 April 2005, under the tacit acceptance procedure.
Under a revised regulation 13G of Annex I of MARPOL, the final phasing-out
date for Category 1 tankers (pre-MARPOL tankers) is brought forward to 2005,
from 2007.
The final phasing-out date for category 2 and 3 tankers (MARPOL tankers and
smaller tankers) is brought forward to 2010, from 2015.
Under the revised regulation, the Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) is to be
made applicable to all single-hull tankers of 15 years, or older. Previously
it was applicable to all Category 1 vessels continuing to trade after 2005
and all Category 2 vessels after 2010.
Consequential enhancements to the CAS scheme were also adopted.
The revised regulation allows the Administration (flag State) to permit
continued operation of category 2 or 3 tankers beyond 2010 subject to
satisfactory results from the CAS, but the continued operation must not go
beyond the anniversary of the date of delivery of the ship in 2015 or the
date on which the ship reaches 25 years of age after the date of its
delivery, whichever is earlier.
In the case of certain Category 2 or 3 oil tankers fitted with only double
bottoms or double sides not used for the carriage of oil and extending to
the entire cargo tank length or double hull spaces, not meeting the minimum
distance protection requirements, which are not used for the carriage of oil
and extend to the entire cargo tank length, the Administration may allow
continued operation beyond 2010.
IMO said this was provided that the ship was in service on 1 July 2001, the
Administration is satisfied by verification of the official records that the
ship complied with the conditions specified and that those conditions remain
unchanged.
Again, such continued operation must not go beyond the date on which the
ship reaches 25 years of age after the date of its delivery. |
