.1 The purpose of the VOC management plan is to
ensure that the operation of a tanker, to which regulation 15 of MARPOL Annex VI applies,
prevents or minimizes VOC emissions to the extent possible.
.2 Emissions of VOCs can be prevented or minimized
by:
-
.1 optimizing operational procedures to minimize
the release of VOC emissions; and/or
-
.2 using devices, equipment, or design changes
to prevent or minimize VOC emissions.
.3 To comply with this plan, the loading and carriage
of cargoes which generate VOC emissions should be evaluated and procedures
written to ensure that the operations of a ship follow best management
practices for preventing or minimizing VOC emissions to the extent
possible. If devices, equipment, or design changes are implemented
to prevent or minimize VOC emissions, they shall also be incorporated
and described in the VOC management plan as appropriate.
.4 While maintaining the safety of the ship, the
VOC management plan should encourage and, as appropriate, set forth
the following best management practices:
-
.1 the loading procedures should take into account
potential gas releases due to low pressure and, where possible, the
routing of oil from crude oil manifolds into the tanks should be done
so as to avoid or minimize excessive throttling and high flow velocity
in pipes;
-
.2 the ship should define a target operating pressure
for the cargo tanks. This pressure should be as high as safely possible
and the ship should aim to maintain tanks at this level during the
loading and carriage of relevant cargo;
-
.3 when venting to reduce tank pressure is required,
the decrease in the pressure in the tanks should be as small as possible
to maintain the tank pressure as high as possible;
-
.4 the amount of inert gas added should be minimized.
Increasing tank pressure by adding inert gas does not prevent VOC
release but it may increase venting and therefore increased VOC emissions;
and
-
.5 when crude oil washing is considered, its effect
on VOC emissions should be taken into account. VOC emissions can be
reduced by shortening the duration of the washing or by using a closed
cycle crude oil washing programme.