Resolution MEPC.137(53)

AMENDMENTS TO THE GUIDELINES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHIPBOARD MARINE POLLUTION EMERGENCY PLANS FOR OIL AND/OR NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES (RESOLUTION MEPC.85(44))

(Adopted on 22 July 2005)

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

RECALLING ALSO that regulation 26 of the current Annex I and regulation 16 of the current Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 require ships to carry a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan and/or a shipboard marine pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances, and such plans shall be in accordance with the Guidelines developed by the Organization,

NOTING that, by resolution MEPC.85(44), the Committee adopted the "Guidelines for the development of shipboard marine pollution emergency plans for oil and/or noxious liquid substances" to ensure uniform implementation of the said regulations,

NOTING that, at its fifty-first session, the Committee recognized that the Guidelines referenced under MARPOL Annex II may require updating as a result of the revised MARPOL Annex II,

BEING AWARE that the revised MARPOL Annex II, as adopted by resolution MEPC.118(52), is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2007,

HAVING CONSIDERED, at its fifty-third session, the recommendation submitted by the BLG Sub-Committee to adopt the amendments to the Guidelines for the development of shipboard marine pollution emergency plans for oil and/or noxious liquid substances,

1. ADOPTS the amendments to the Guidelines for the development of shipboard marine pollution emergency plans for oil and/or noxious liquid substances, the text of which is set out in the Annex to this resolution; and

2. INVITES Governments to apply the Guidelines, as amended, as soon