Revoked by A.1155(32)

 

RESOLUTION MEPC.321(74)/Corr.1

(adopted on 17 May 2019)

corrected by MEPC 74/18/Add.1/Corr.1

11 September 2019

 

2019 GUIDELINES FOR PORT STATE CONTROL UNDER MARPOL ANNEX VI CHAPTER 3

 

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 conferred upon it by the international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

 

RECALLING ALSO that, at its fifty-eighth session, the Committee adopted, by resolution MEPC.176(58), a revised MARPOL Annex VI which significantly strengthens the controls on emissions,

 

NOTING that articles 5 and 6 of the MARPOL Convention and regulations 10 and 11 of MARPOL Annex VI provide control procedures to be followed by a Party to the 1997 Protocol with regard to foreign ships visiting its ports,

 

RECALLING that, at its fifty-ninth session, the Committee adopted, by resolution MEPC.181(59), 2009 Guidelines for port State control under the revised MARPOL Annex VI,

 

NOTING that the revised MARPOL Annex VI entered into force on 1 July 2010 and since then there have been several amendments to the provisions,

 

RECOGNIZING the need to revise the 2009 Guidelines for port State control under the revised MARPOL Annex VI, in accordance with provisions of the MARPOL Annex VI, as amended,

 

HAVING CONSIDERED, at is seventy-fourth session, draft 2019 Guidelines for port State control under MARPOL Annex VI prepared by the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response, at its sixth session, following a review by the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments, at its fifth session,

 

1          ADOPTS the 2019 Guidelines for port State control under MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 3 (2019 PSC Guidelines), as set out in the annex to the present resolution;

 

2          INVITES Governments, when exercising port State control under MARPOL Annex VI, to apply the 2019 PSC Guidelines from 1 January 2020;

 

3          INVITES Governments, when exercising port State control under MARPOL Annex VI, to apply the provisions of MARPOL Annex VI concerning the prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship from 1 March 2020;

 

4          INVITES Governments, when exercising port State control under MARPOL Annex VI, to apply the provisions of MARPOL Annex VI concerning electronic record books from 1 October 2020;

 

5          AGREES to keep these Guidelines under review in the light of experience gained with their application;

 

6          REVOKES the 2009 Guidelines for port State control under the revised MARPOL Annex VI adopted by resolution MEPC.181(59), from 1 January 2020.

 

ANNEX

 

2019 GUIDELINES FOR PORT STATE CONTROL UNDER MARPOL ANNEX VI CHAPTER 3

 

Chapter 1        GENERAL

 

1.1       This document is intended to provide basic guidance on the conduct of port State control inspections for compliance with MARPOL Annex VI (hereinafter referred to as "the Annex") and afford consistency in the conduct of these inspections, the recognition of deficiencies and the application of control procedures.

 

1.2       Chapters 1 (General), 4 (Contravention and detention), 5 (Reporting requirements) and 6 (Review procedures) of the Procedures for Port State Control, as adopted by the Organization, as may be amended, also applies to these Guidelines.

 

Chapter 2        INSPECTIONS OF SHIPS REQUIRED TO CARRY THE IAPP CERTIFICATE

 

2.1       Initial inspections

 

2.1.1    The PSCO should ascertain the date of ship construction and the date of installation of equipment on board which are subject to the provisions of the Annex, in order to confirm which regulations of the Annex are applicable.

 

2.1.2    On boarding and introduction to the master or responsible ship's officer, the port State control officer (PSCO) should examine the following documents, where applicable:

 

.1       the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPP Certificate) (regulation VI/6), including its Supplement;

 

.2       the Engine International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (EIAPP Certificate) (paragraph 2.2 of the NO_X Technical Code) including its Supplement, for each applicable marine diesel engine;

 

.3       the Technical File (paragraph 2.3.4 of the NO_X Technical Code) for each applicable marine diesel engine;

 

.4       depending on the method used for demonstrating NO_X compliance for each applicable marine diesel engine:

 

.1       the Record Book of Engine Parameters for each marine diesel engine (paragraph 6.2.2.7 of the NO_X Technical Code) demonstrating compliance with regulation VI/13 by means of the marine diesel engine parameter check method; or

 

.2       documentation relating to the simplified measurement method; or

 

.3       documentation related to the direct measurement and monitoring method;

 

.5       for a ship to which regulation VI/13.5.1 applies for a particular NO_X Tier III emission control area and that has one or more installed marine diesel engines certified to both Tier II and Tier III or which has one or more marine diesel engines certified to Tier II only¹ that there are the required log book and the recordings for the tier and on/off status of those marine diesel engines while the ship is within an applicable NO_X Tier III emission control area;

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¹    Unified Interpretation to regulation 13.5.3 set out in MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.4.

 

.6       the Approved Method File (regulation VI/13.7);

 

.7       the written procedures covering fuel oil change over operations (in a working language or languages understood by the crew) where separate fuel oils are used in order to achieve compliance (regulation VI/14.6);

 

.8       the approved documentation relating to exceptions and/or exemptions granted under regulation VI/3;

 

.9       the approved documentation (SECC where issued, ETM, OMM, SECP) and relating to any installed Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) or equivalent means, to reduce SO_X emissions (regulation VI/4);

 

.10     that the required EGCS monitoring records have been retained and show compliance. Additionally, that the EGCS Record Book including nitrate discharge data and performance records,²  or approved alternative, has been duly maintained;

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²     In assessing the Emission Ratio and discharge water records the PSCO should be mindful that such factors as transient engine operation or analyser performance outputs may result in isolated "spikes" in the recorded output  which,  while  these  measurements  in  themselves  may  be  above  the  required  Emission  Ratio  or discharge water limit values, do not indicate that overall the EGCS was not being operated and controlled as required and hence should not be taken as evidence of non-compliance with the requirements.

         

.11     the bunker delivery notes (BDNs) and representative samples or records thereof (regulation VI/18);

 

.12     the copy of the type approval certificate of applicable shipboard incinerator (resolutions MEPC.76(40) or MEPC.244(66));

 

.13     the Ozone Depleting Substances Record Book (regulation VI/12.6);

 

.14     the VOC Management Plan (regulation VI/15.6);

 

.15     any notification to the ship's flag Administration issued by the master or officer in charge of the bunker operation together with any available commercial documentation relevant to non-compliant bunker delivery, regulation VI/18.2; and

 

.16     if the ship has not been able to obtain compliant fuel oil, the notification to the ship’s flag Administration and the competent authority of the relevant port of destination as set out in the appendix.

 

The Record Books referenced in sub-paragraphs .1, .5, .10 and 13 above may be presented in an electronic format. A declaration from the Administration should be viewed in order to accept this Electronic Record Book. If a declaration cannot be provided, a hard copy Record Book will need to be presented for examination.

 

2.1.3    As a preliminary check, the IAPP Certificate's validity should be confirmed by verifying that the Certificate is properly completed and signed and that required surveys have been performed.

 

2.1.4    Through examining the Supplement to the IAPP Certificate, the PSCO may establish how the ship is equipped for the prevention of air pollution.

 

2.1.5    In the case where the bunker delivery note or the representative sample as required by regulation VI/18 presented to the ship are not in compliance with the relevant requirements (the BDN is set out in appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI), the master or officer in charge of the bunker operation may have documented that through a Notification to the ship’s flag Administration with copies to the port authority under whose jurisdiction the ship did not receive the required documentation pursuant to the bunkering operation and to the bunker deliverer.

 

2.1.6    In addition, if the BDN shows compliant fuel, but the master has independent test results of the fuel oil sample taken by the ship during the bunkering which indicates non-compliance, the master may have documented that through a Notification to the ship's flag Administration with copies to the competent authority of the relevant port of destination, the Administration under whose jurisdiction the bunker deliverer is located and to the bunker deliverer.

 

2.1.7    In all cases, a copy may be retained on board the ship, together with any available commercial documentation, for the subsequent scrutiny of port State control.

 

2.2       Initial inspection on ships equipped with equivalent means of SO_X compliance.

 

2.2.1    On ships equipped with equivalent means of compliance, the PSCO will look at:

 

.1       evidence that the ship has received an appropriate approval for any installed equivalent means (approved, under trial or being commissioned);

 

.2       evidence that the ship is using an equivalent means, as identified on the Supplement of the IAPP certificate, for fuel oil combustion units on board or that compliant fuel oil is used in equipment not so covered; and

 

.3       BDNs on board³ which indicate that the fuel oil is intended to be used in combination with an equivalent means of SO_X compliance or the ship is subject to a relevant exemption to conduct trials for SO_X emission reduction and control technology research.

_________________

³     Resolution MEPC.305(73) Prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship is not applicable to fuel oil carried as cargo or for ships fitted with an approved equivalent means of compliance.

 

2.2.2    In the case where an EGCS is not in compliance with the relevant requirements for other than transitory periods and isolated spikes in the recorded output, the master or officer in charge may have documented that through a Notification to the ship's flag Administration with copies to the competent authority of the relevant port of destination, and present those corrective actions taken in order to rectify the situation in accordance with the guidance given in the EGCS Technical Manual. If a malfunction occurs in the instrumentation for the monitoring of emission to air or the monitoring of washwater discharge to sea, the ship may have alternative documentation demonstrating compliance.⁴

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⁴     MEPC.1/Circ.883 on Guidance on indication of ongoing compliance in the case of the failure of a single monitoring instrument, and recommended actions to take if the Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) fails to meet the provisions of the 2015 EGCS Guidelines (resolution MEPC.259(68)), ships should have documented notification of system non-compliance to relevant authorities as in paragraph 2.2.2.

 

2.3       Initial inspection within an ECA

 

2.3.1    When a ship is inspected in a port in an ECA designated for SO_X emission control, the PSCO should look at:

 

.1       evidence of fuel oil delivered to and used on board with a sulphur content of not more than 0.10% m/m through the BDNs and appropriate onboard records including records of bunkering operations as set out in the Oil Record Book Part 1 (regulation VI/18.5 and VI/14.4); and

 

.2       for those ships using separate fuel oils for compliance with regulation VI/14, evidence of a written procedure (in a working language or languages understood by the crew) and records of changeover to fuel oil with a sulphur content of not more than 0.10% m/m before entering the ECA such that compliant fuel was being used while sailing in the entire ECA as required in regulation VI/14.6.

 

2.3.2    When a ship to which regulation VI/13.5.1 applies for a particular NO_X Tier III emission control area is inspected in a port in that area, the PSCO should look at:

 

.1       the records in respect of the tier and on/off status, together with any changes to that status while within that NO_X Tier III emission control area, which are to be logged as required by regulation VI/13.5.3 in respect of an installed marine diesel engine certified to both Tier II and Tier III or which is certified to Tier II only⁵; and

_________________

⁵     Unified Interpretation to regulation 13.5.3 set out in MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.4.

 

.2       the status of an installed marine diesel engine which is certified to both Tier II and Tier III showing that that engine was operating in its Tier III condition on entry into that NO_X Tier III emission control area and that status was maintained at all times while that marine diesel engine was in operation within that area; or

 

.3       the records related to the conditions associated with an exemption granted under regulation VI/13.5.4 have been logged as required by that exemption and that the terms and duration of that exemption have been complied with as required.

 

2.4       Initial inspection outside an ECA or first port after transiting an ECA

 

2.4.1    When a ship is inspected in a port outside ECA the PSCO will look to the same documentation and evidence as during inspections in ports inside the ECA. The PSCO should in particular look at:

 

.1       evidence that the sulphur content of the fuel oil is in accordance with regulation VI/14.1⁶ through the BDNs and appropriate onboard records including records of bunkering operations as set out in the Oil Record Book Part 1 (regulation VI/18.5 and VI/14.4); and

_________________

⁶     Resolution MEPC.305(73) Prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship is not applicable to fuel oil carried as cargo or for ships fitted with an approved equivalent means of compliance.

 

 .2      evidence of a written procedure (in a working language or languages understood by the crew) and records of changeover from fuel oil with a sulphur content of not more than 0.10% m/m after leaving the ECA such that compliant fuel was being used while sailing in the in the entire ECA.

 

2.4.2    When a ship to which regulation VI/13.5.1 applies for a particular NO_X Tier III emission control area is inspected in a port outside that area, the PSCO should look at the records required by 2.3.2.1 and 2.3.2.2 or 2.3.2.3 to ensure that the relevant requirements were complied with for the whole period of time the ship was operating in that area.

 

2.5       Outcome of initial inspection

 

2.5.1    If the certificates and documents are valid and appropriate and, after an inspection of the ship to check that the overall condition of the ship meets generally accepted international rules and standards, the PSCO's general impressions and observations on board confirm a good standard of maintenance, the inspection should be considered satisfactorily concluded.

 

2.5.2    If, however, the PSCO's general impressions or observations on board give clear grounds (see paragraph 2.5.3) for believing that the condition of the ship or its equipment do not correspond substantially with the particulars of the certificates or the documents, the PSCO should proceed to a more detailed inspection.

 

2.5.3    "Clear grounds" to conduct a more detailed inspection include:

 

.1       evidence that certificates required by the Annex are missing or clearly invalid;

 

.2       evidence that documents required by the Annex are missing or clearly invalid;

 

.3       the absence or malfunctioning of equipment or arrangements specified in the certificates or documents;

 

.4       the presence of equipment or arrangements not specified in the certificates or documents;

 

.5       evidence from the PSCO's general impressions or observations that serious deficiencies exist in the equipment or arrangements specified in the certificates or documents;

 

.6       information or evidence that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard operations relating to the prevention of air pollution, or that such operations have not been carried out;

 

.7       evidence of inconsistency between information in the bunker delivery note and paragraph 2.3 of the Supplement to the IAPP certificate;

 

.8       evidence that an equivalent means has not been used as required; or

 

.9       evidence, for example by fuel calculators, that the quantity of bunkered compliant fuel oil is inconsistent with the ship's voyage plan; and

 

.10     receipt of a report or complaint containing information that the ship appears to be non-compliant including but not limited to information from remote sensing surveillance of SO_X emissions or portable fuel oil sulphur content measurement devices indicating that a ship appears to use non-compliant fuel while in operation/underway;

 

.11     evidence that the tier and/or on/off status of applicable installed marine diesel engines has not been maintained correctly or as required;

 

.12     receipt of a report or complaint containing information that one or more of the installed marine diesel engines has not been operated in accordance with the provisions of the respective Technical File or the requirements relevant to a particular NO_X Tier III emission control area; and

 

.13     receipt of a report or complaint containing information that the conditions attached to an exemption granted under regulation VI/13.5.4 have not been complied with.

 

2.6       More detailed inspections

 

2.6.1    The PSCO should verify that:

 

.1       there are effectively implemented maintenance procedures for the equipment containing ozone-depleting substances; and

 

.2       there are no deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances.

 

2.6.2    In order to verify that each installed marine diesel engine with a power output of more than 130 kW is approved by the Administration in accordance with the NO_X Technical Code and maintained appropriately, the PSCO should pay particular attention to the following:

 

.1       examine such marine diesel engines to be consistent with the EIAPP Certificate and its Supplement, Technical File and, if applicable, Record Book of Engine Parameters or Onboard Monitoring Manual and related data;

 

.2       examine marine diesel engines specified in the Technical Files to verify that no unapproved modifications, which may affect NO_X emission, have been made to the marine diesel engines;

 

.3       in the case of an installed marine diesel engine certified to Tier III that the required records, if applicable, in accordance with regulation VI/13.5.3 or in the Technical File, including those required by 2.3.6 of the NO_X Technical Code, have been maintained as necessary and that the marine diesel engine, including any NO_X control device and associated ancillary systems and equipment, including, where fitted, bypass arrangements, is maintained in accordance with the associated Technical File and is in good order;

 

.4       if applicable, examine whether the conditions attached to an exemption granted under regulation VI/13.5.4 have been complied with as required;

 

.5       examine marine diesel engines with a power output of more than 5,000 kW and a per cylinder displacement at or above 90 litres installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 1990 but prior to 1 January 2000 to verify that they are certified, if so required, in accordance with regulation VI/13.7;

 

.6       in the case of ships constructed before 1 January 2000, verify that any marine diesel engine which has been subject to a major conversion, as defined in regulation VI/13, has been approved by the Administration; and

 

.7       emergency marine diesel engines intended to be used solely in case of emergency are still in use for this purpose.

 

2.6.3    The PSCO should check and verify whether fuel oil complies with the provisions of regulation VI/14 taking into account appendix VI⁷ of this Annex.

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⁷    Amendments to MARPOL VI, Appendix VI, Verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample (regulation 18.8.2 or regulation 14.8), expected to be adopted in Spring 2020 and set out in annex 13 to document MEPC 74/18/Add.1.

 

2.6.4    The PSCO should pay attention to the record required in regulation VI/14.6 in order to identify the sulphur content of fuel oil used by the ship depending on the area of trade, or that other equivalent approved means have been applied as required, the fuel oil consumed in and outside ECA, and that there is enough fuel in compliance with regulation VI/14 to reach the next port destination.

 

2.6.5    Where EGCS is used, the PSCO should check that it has been installed and operated, together with its monitoring systems, in accordance with the associated approved documentation according to the survey procedures as established in the OMM.

 

2.6.6    If the ship is equipped with an EGCS as an equivalent means of SO_X compliance, the PSCO should verify that the system is properly functioning, is in operation, there are continuous-monitoring systems with tamper-proof data recording and processing devices,⁸ if applicable and the records demonstrate the necessary compliance when set against the limits given in the approved documentation and applies to relevant fuel combustion units on board. Checking can include but is not limited to: emissions ratio, pH, PAH, turbidity readings as limit values given in ETM-A or ETM-B and operation parameters as listed in the system documentation.

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⁸      Equivalent emission values for emission abatement methods are 4.3 and 21.7 SO₂ (ppm)/CO₂ (% v/v) for marine fuels with a sulphur content of 0.10 and 0.50 (% m/m) respectively.

 

2.6.7    If the ship is a tanker, as defined in regulation VI/2.21, the PSCO should verify that the vapour collection system approved by the Administration, taking into account MSC/Circ.585, is installed, if required under regulation VI/15.

 

2.6.8    If the ship is a tanker carrying crude oil, the PSCO should verify that there is on board an approved VOC Management Plan.

 

2.6.9    The PSCO should verify that prohibited materials are not incinerated.

 

2.6.10 The PSCO should verify that shipboard incineration of sewage sludge or sludge oil in boilers or marine power plants is not undertaken while the ship is inside ports, harbours or estuaries (regulation VI/16.4).

 

2.6.11 The PSCO should verify that the shipboard incinerator, if required by regulation VI/16.6.1, is approved by the Administration. For these units, it should be verified that the incinerator is properly maintained, therefore the PSCO should examine whether:

 

.1       the shipboard incinerator is consistent with the certificate of shipboard incinerator;

 

.2       the operational manual, in order to operate the shipboard incinerator within the limits provided in appendix IV to the Annex, is provided; and

 

.3       the combustion chamber flue gas outlet temperature is monitored at all times the unit is in operation (regulation VI/16.9).

 

2.6.12 If there are clear grounds as defined in paragraph 2.5.3, the PSCO may examine operational procedures by confirming that:

 

.1       the master or crew are familiar with the procedures to prevent emissions of ozone-depleting substances;

 

.2       the master or crew are familiar with the proper operation and maintenance of marine diesel engines, in accordance with their Technical Files or Approved Method file, as applicable, and with due regard for Emission Control Areas for NO_X control;

 

.3       the master or crew are familiar with fuel oil bunkering procedures in connection to the respective bunker delivery notes and onboard records including the Oil Record Book Part 1 (regulation VI/18.5 and VI/14.4) and retained samples as required by regulation VI/18;

 

.4       the master or crew are familiar with the correct operation of an EGCS or other equivalent means on board together with any applicable monitoring and recording, and record keeping requirements;

 

.5       the master or crew are familiar and have undertaken the necessary fuel oil changeover procedures, or equivalent, associated with demonstrating compliance within an Emission Control Area;

 

.6       the master or crew are familiar with the garbage screening procedure to ensure that prohibited garbage is not incinerated;

 

.7       the master or crew are familiar with the operation of the shipboard incinerator, as required by regulation VI/16.6, within the limits provided in appendix IV to the Annex, in accordance with its operational manual;

 

.8       the master or crew are familiar with the regulation of emissions of VOCs, when the ship is in ports or terminals under the jurisdiction of a Party to the 1997 Protocol to MARPOL 73/78 in which VOCs emissions are to be regulated, and are familiar with the proper operation of a vapour collection system approved by the Administration (in case the ship is a tanker as defined in regulation VI/2.21); and

 

.9       the master or crew are familiar with the application of the VOC Management Plan, if applicable.

 

2.7       Detainable deficiencies

 

2.7.1    In exercising his/her functions, the PSCO should use professional judgment to determine whether to detain the ship until any noted deficiencies are corrected or to allow it to sail with certain deficiencies which do not pose an unreasonable threat of harm under the scope of the Annex provided they will be timely addressed. In doing this, the PSCO should be guided by the principle that the requirements contained in the Annex, with respect to the construction, equipment and operation of the ship, are essential for the protection of the marine environment, the navigational safety or the human health and that departure from these requirements could constitute an unreasonable threat of harm to the mentioned protection aspects and should be avoided.

 

2.7.2    In order to assist the PSCO in the use of these Guidelines, there follows a list of deficiencies, which are considered, taking into account the provisions of regulation VI/3, to be of such a serious nature that they may warrant the detention of the ship involved:

 

.1       absence of valid IAPP Certificate, EIAPP Certificates or Technical Files, if applicable;