Resolution MEPC.148(54)
REVISED 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 24 March 2006)
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 revised 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;
2.
INVITES the Parties to note that the revised Guidelines supersede the
Guidelines adopted by resolution MEPC.120(52) on 15 October 2004; and
3.
INVITES ALSO the Parties to note that the revised 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
1.1
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, identified by a
footnote (k) in column e; 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.
2.1
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 to the receiving State would not be viable using NLS tankers as
required by Annex II to MARPOL 73/78. This relaxation shall be endorsed on the
ship’s Certificate. Such relaxation shall be communicated to the IMO by the
Administration.
2.2
Every general dry cargo ship, falling under paragraph 2 of the Guidelines,
shall be subject to Annex II to MARPOL 73/78 regarding the discharge
requirements and the carriage of a Manual and shall be certified to carry
vegetable oils by means of the issue of a certificate under regulation 10.1 of
that Annex.
2.3
Before granting a relaxation, the Administration shall receive a confirmation
in writing that both the Government of the country of loading and the
Government of the country of unloading concur with the proposed relaxation.
These confirmations shall be retained on board.
3. Carriage in
independent tanks
3.1
An Administration may grant a relaxation for the carriage requirements as
required by the IBC Code when vegetable oils are carried in independent tanks
in general dry cargo ships specially designed for the carriage of these
vegetable oils. This relaxation shall be endorsed on the ship’s Certificate.
Such relaxation shall be communicated to the IMO by the Administration.
3.2
The following criteria on construction and trade for such relaxation shall
apply:
.1 the
independent tanks shall be situated at least 760 mm from the shell plating; and
.2 such carriage
of vegetable oils shall be restricted to specifically identified trades.
3.3
Every general dry cargo ship falling under paragraph 3 of the Guidelines shall
be subject to Annex II to MARPOL 73/78 regarding the discharge requirements and
the carriage of a Manual and shall be certified to carry vegetable oils by
means of the issue of a certificate under regulation 10.1 of that Annex.