2 Renewal survey
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 2011 ESP Code – International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 – Resolution A.1049(27) - Annex B – Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Oil Tankers - Part B – Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Oil Tankers other than Double-Hull Oil Tankers - 2 Renewal survey

2 Renewal survey

2.1 General

  2.1.1 The renewal survey may be commenced at the fourth annual survey and be progressed during the succeeding year with a view to completion by the fifth anniversary date. When the renewal survey is commenced prior to the fourth annual survey, the entire survey shall be completed within 15 months if such work is to be credited to the renewal survey.

  2.1.2 As part of the preparation for the renewal survey, the survey programme shall be dealt with, in advance of the renewal survey. The thickness measurement shall not be held before the fourth annual survey.

  2.1.3 The survey shall include, in addition to the requirements of the annual survey, examination, tests and checks of sufficient extent to ensure that the hull and related piping as required in 2.1.5 is in a satisfactory condition and is fit for its intended purpose for the new period of validity of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, subject to proper maintenance and operation and to periodical surveys being carried out at the due dates.

  2.1.4 All cargo tanks, ballast tanks, including double-bottom tanks, pump-rooms, pipe tunnels, cofferdams and void spaces bounding cargo tanks, decks and outer hull shall be examined, and this examination shall be supplemented by thickness measurement and testing as required in 2.5 and 2.6, to ensure that the structural integrity remains effective. The examination shall be sufficient to discover substantial corrosion, significant deformation, fractures, damages or other structural deterioration that may be present.

  2.1.5 Cargo piping on deck, including crude oil washing (COW) piping, and cargo and ballast piping within the above tanks and spaces shall be examined and operationally tested to working pressure to the attending surveyor's satisfaction to ensure that tightness and condition remain satisfactory. Special attention shall be given to any ballast piping in cargo tanks and any cargo piping in any ballast tanks and void spaces, and surveyors shall be advised on all occasions when this piping, including valves and fittings, are open during repair periods and can be examined internally.

  2.1.6 Concurrent crediting to both intermediate survey and renewal survey for surveys and thickness measurements of spaces shall not be acceptable.

2.2 Dry-dock survey

  2.2.1 A survey in dry-dock shall be a part of the renewal survey. There shall be a minimum of two inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom during the five-year period of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate. In all cases, the maximum interval between bottom inspections shall not exceed 36 months.

  2.2.2 For ships of 15 years of age and over, inspection of the outside of the ship's bottom shall be carried out with the ship in dry-dock. For ships of less than 15 years of age, alternate inspections of the ship's bottom not conducted in conjunction with the renewal survey may be carried out with the ship afloat. Inspection of the ship afloat shall only be carried out when the conditions are satisfactory and the proper equipment and suitably qualified staff are available.

  2.2.3 If a survey in dry-dock is not completed in conjunction with the renewal survey or if the 36 month maximum interval referred to in 2.2.1 is not complied with, the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate shall cease to be valid until a survey in dry-dock is completed.

  2.2.4 The overall and close-up surveys and thickness measurements, as applicable, of the lower portions of the cargo tanks and ballast tanks shall be carried out in accordance with the applicable requirements for renewal surveys, if not already performed.

  • Note: Lower portions of the cargo and ballast tanks are considered to be the parts below the light ballast water line.

2.3 Tank corrosion prevention system

 Where provided, the condition of the corrosion prevention system of cargo tanks shall be examined. A ballast tank shall be examined at annual intervals where:

  • .1 a hard protective coating has not been applied from the time of construction; or

  • .2 a soft or semi-hard coating has been applied; or

  • .3 substantial corrosion is found within the tank; or

  • .4 the hard protective coating is found to be in less than GOOD condition and the hard protective coating is not repaired to the satisfaction of the surveyor.

Thickness measurements shall be carried out as deemed necessary by the surveyor.

2.4 Extent of overall and close-up surveys

  2.4.1 An overall survey of all tanks and spaces shall be carried out at the renewal survey. Suspect areas identified at previous surveys shall be examined.

  2.4.2 The minimum requirements for close-up surveys at the renewal survey are given in annex 1.

  2.4.3 The surveyor may extend the scope of the close-up survey as deemed necessary taking into account the maintenance of the tanks under survey, the condition of the corrosion prevention system and also in the following cases:

  • .1 in particular, tanks having structural arrangements or details which have suffered defects in similar tanks or on similar ships according to available information; and

  • .2 in tanks which have structures approved with reduced scantlings in association with a corrosion prevention system approved by the Administration.

  2.4.4 For areas in tanks where hard protective coatings are found to be in GOOD condition as defined in 1.2.11, the extent of close-up surveys according to annex 1 may be specially considered by the Administration.

2.5 Extent of thickness measurements

  2.5.1 The minimum requirements for thickness measurements at the renewal survey are given in annex 2.

  2.5.2 Provisions for extended measurements for areas with substantial corrosion are given in annex 4, and as may be additionally specified in the survey programme as required in 5.1. These extended thickness measurements shall be carried out before the survey is credited as completed. Suspect areas identified at previous surveys shall be examined. Areas of substantial corrosion identified at previous surveys shall have thickness measurements taken.

  2.5.3 The surveyor may further extend the thickness measurements as deemed necessary.

  2.5.4 For areas in tanks where hard protective coatings are found to be in GOOD condition as defined in 1.2.11, the extent of thickness measurements according to annex 2 may be specially considered by the Administration.

  2.5.5 Transverse sections shall be chosen where the largest reductions are suspected to occur or are revealed from deck plating measurements.

  2.5.6 In cases where two or three sections are measured, at least one shall include a ballast tank within 0.5L amidships. In case of oil tankers of 130 m in length and upwards (as defined in the International Convention on Load Lines in force) and more than 10 years of age, for the evaluation of the ship's longitudinal strength as required in 8.1.2, the sampling method of thickness measurements is given in annex 12.

2.6 Extent of tank pressure testing

  2.6.1 The minimum requirements for ballast tank pressure testing at the renewal survey are given in 2.6.3 and in annex 3.

The minimum requirements for cargo tank testing at the renewal survey are given in 2.6.4 and annex 3.

Cargo tank testing carried out by the vessel's crew under the direction of the master may be accepted by the surveyor provided the following conditions are complied with:

  • .1 tank testing procedure, specifying fill heights, tanks being filled and bulkheads being tested, has been submitted by the owner and reviewed by the Administration prior to the testing being carried out;

  • .2 there is no record of leakage, distortion or substantial corrosion that would affect the structural integrity of the tank;

  • .3 the tank testing has been satisfactorily carried out within the special survey window not more than 3 months prior to the date of the survey on which the overall or close up survey is completed;

  • .4 the satisfactory results of the testing is recorded in the vessel's logbook; and

  • .5 the internal and external condition of the tanks and associated structure are found satisfactory by the surveyor at the time of the overall and close up survey.

  2.6.2 The surveyor may extend the tank pressure testing as deemed necessary.

  2.6.3 Boundaries of ballast tanks shall be tested with a head of liquid to the top of the air pipes.

  2.6.4 Boundaries of cargo tanks shall be tested to the highest point that liquid will rise to under service conditions.


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