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 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; and
2. INVITES the Parties to note that the guidelines
shall take effect on 1 January 2007.