Resolution MEPC.120(52)

GUIDELINES FOR THE TRANSPORT OF VEGETABLE OILS IN DEEPTANKS OR IN INDEPENDENT TANKS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF SUCH VEGETABLE OILS IN GENERAL DRY CARGO SHIPS

(adopted on 15 October 2004)

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,

RECALLING article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the function of the Committee conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

RECALLING ALSO resolution MEPC.118(52) by which it adopted the revised Annex II of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (hereinafter referred to as "MARPOL 73/78"),

RECALLING FURTHER resolution MEPC.119(52) by which it adopted amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code),

CONSIDERING that the Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-second session, considered and approved the proposed amendments to the IBC Code with a view to adoption under the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (1974 SOLAS Convention).

RECOGNIZING the current practices for the transport of vegetable oils in deeptanks in general dry cargo ships,

RECOGNIZING ALSO the current practices of the transport of vegetable oils in independent tanks specially designed to carry these vegetable oils on board of general dry cargo ships,

NOTING the need for the continuation of the current mode of transport of these vegetable oils on specifically identified trades, where the lack of availability of NLS tankers is demonstrated,

BEING CONVINCED that adequate precaution is needed to provide the protection of the marine environment at the level as required by Annex II of MARPOL 73/78, as amended,

1. ADOPTS the Guidelines for the transport of vegetable oils in deeptanks or in independent tanks specially designed for the carriage of such vegetable oils in general dry cargo ships, the text of which is set out in the Annex to this resolution; and

2. INVITES the Parties to note that the guidelines shall take effect on 1 January 2007.

GUIDELINES FOR THE TRANSPORT OF VEGETABLE OILS IN DEEPTANKS OR IN INDEPENDENT TANKS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE CARRIAGE OF SUCH VEGETABLE OILS IN GENERAL DRY CARGO SHIPS

1. Preamble

1.1 The Guidelines have been developed to allow general dry cargo ships, which are currently certified to carry vegetable oil in bulk, to continue to carry these vegetable oils on specific trades. These guidelines only apply under the following conditions:

.1 the vegetable oils are carried in deeptanks or independent tanks in general dry cargo ships specifically designed for the carriage of such oils under an NLS Certificate issued before 1 January 2007;

.2 the products allowed to be carried are restricted to those unmodified vegetable oils (primarily triglycerides) which are listed in the IBC Code with a pollution hazard only; and

.3 the ship complies with all discharge requirements under Annex II to MARPOL 73/78.

1.2 The Guidelines have been developed in accordance with the provisions set forth in regulation 11.2 of Annex II to MARPOL 73/78 and in recognition of the need for standards, which provide an alternative to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ship Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.

2. Carriage in deeptanks

2.1 An Administration may grant a relaxation for the carriage requirements, as required by the IBC Code, when vegetable oils are carried in deeptanks in general dry cargo ships between States for which it is demonstrated that, as a result of their geographical location, the transport of vegetable oils from the exporting State