Implementation of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Regulation 2016
MARPOL Annex I for the prevention of oil pollution, will come into operation on 1 October
The details of the amendment regulation can be found in the following website: http://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20162016/es22016201647.pdf.
According to the amendment regulation, oil residue (sludge) tank for machinery space shall be provided with a designated pump for disposal of the oil residue (sludge) and the tank shall have no discharge connections to the bilge system, oily bilge water holding tank, tank top or oily water separators.
According to the amendment regulation, oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above engaged in the transfer of oil cargo at sea must have an approved Ship to Ship (STS) Operation Plan. Annex 1 of this Notice provides guidance to local oil tanker owners and operators for the preparation of an STS Operation Plan. For reference purpose, a sample of STS Operation Plan is attached at Annex 2 of this Notice.
All oil tankers are required to fit with a stability instrument comprises hardware and software which is capable of verifying compliance with the intact and damage stability requirements in any operational condition. Annex 3 of this Notice provides the details of the requirement and the waiving conditions for the installation of a stability instrument. Ship owners who would like to apply for waiving of the stability instrument for their ships may submit an application (application form at Annex 4 of this Notice) to the Local Vessels Safety Section.
Shipowners, operators and coxswains of local oil tankers are required to observe and comply with the amendment regulation. For enquiries, please contact Local Vessels Safety Section by telephone no. 2852 4444 or e-mail (lvs1@mardep.gov.hk or lvs2@mardep.gov.hk).
Disclaimer: The above image is for representation of the below incident and need not be considered as an actual case image.
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Source: Hong Kong Marine Department
