Annex - Guidance for Issuing Revised Certificates, Manuals and Record Books Under Annexes I, II and V of MARPOL for Compliance with Environment-Related Requirements of the Polar Code
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Annex - Guidance for Issuing Revised Certificates, Manuals and Record Books Under Annexes I, II and V of MARPOL for Compliance with Environment-Related Requirements of the Polar Code

Introduction

1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee), at its sixty-eight session (11 to 15 May 2015), adopted, by resolution MEPC.264(68), the environment-related provisions of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), together with amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II and V to make the Introduction and corresponding chapters of part II-A of the Polar Code mandatory (resolution MEPC.265(68). The Polar Code is expected to take effect on 1 January 2017, upon entry into force of the associated MARPOL amendments.

2 In accordance with the Committee's decision that compliance with the environment-related requirements of the Polar Code should be reflected in the existing certificates, manuals and record books under the relevant Annexes to MARPOL, amendments have been introduced to the following certificates, manuals and record books:

  • .1 Supplement to the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP Certificate) – Forms A and B;

  • .2 Standard format for the Procedures and Arrangements Manual; and

  • .3 Form of Garbage Record Book.

3 This guidance advises on the revision of certificates, manuals and record books under Annexes I, II and V of MARPOL for compliance with the environment-related requirements of the Polar Code.

International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP Certificate)

4 Amendments have been introduced to the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate (Forms A and B) to certify that category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017 are in compliance with the additional structural requirements on tank protection, as set out in section 1.2 of chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code.

5 In this regard, the Guidance on the timing of replacement of existing certificates by the certificates issued after the entry into force of amendments to certificates in IMO instruments (MSC-MEPC.5/Circ.6) provides, inter alia, that in cases where the ship has not to comply with new requirements, the certificate (and its supplement, if any) is not reissued until its expiry.

6 In addition, in cases where the ship has to comply with new requirements, the certificate (and its supplement, if any) is reissued at the first opportunity of the survey related to the new requirement, occurring after the date of entry into force of the amendments.

7 In view of the guidance quoted in paragraph 5, it is recommended that ships built before 1 January 2017, operating in polar waters, should be allowed to use the existing IOPP certificate until its expiry, as there are no additional structural requirements for existing ships.

8 Paragraph 1.1.3 of chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code requires that, subject to the approval of the Administration, a category A ship constructed before 1 January 2017 that cannot comply with paragraph 1.1.1 for oil or oily mixtures from machinery spaces and is operating continuously in Arctic waters for more than 30 days shall comply with paragraph 1.1.1 not later than the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever comes first, one year after 1 January 2017.

9 It is recommended that the approval of existing category A ships could be achieved through a letter of approval issued by the Administration, using the phase-in provision of paragraph 1.1.3 of chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code, instead of reflecting the approval on the IOPP certificate.

International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk or Certificate of Fitness

10 Paragraph 2.1.3 of chapter 2 of part II-A of the Polar Code requires that, for category A and B ships constructed on or after 1 January 2017, the carriage of noxious liquid substances (NLS) identified in chapter 17, column e, as ship type 3 or identified as NLS in chapter 18 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) in cargo tanks of type 3 ships, shall be subject to the approval of the Administration. The results shall be reflected on the International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk or Certificate of Fitness identifying the operation in polar waters.

11 The Committee agreed that there is no need for amendments to the NLS Certificate or the Certificate of Fitness and further recommended the following with regard to the approval referred to in paragraph 2.1.3 of chapter 2 of part II-A: when considering the approval of the carriage of NLS identified in chapter 17, column e, as ship type 3 or identified as NLS in chapter 18 of the IBC Code, the carriage conditions for voyages in polar waters may be noted in the column "Conditions of carriage" or in the general remarks related to the certificate. This applies to both the NLS Certificate and Certificate of Fitness.

Standard format for the Procedures and Arrangements Manual

12 Amendments have been introduced to paragraphs 1.3 and 4.4 of the standard format for the Procedures and Arrangements Manual, to make reference to the requirements of chapter 2 of part II-A of the Polar Code. The amendments to the manual are to be made prior to entering polar waters on or after 1 January 2017.

13 It is recommended that prior approval of the Administration, in accordance with paragraph 8 of the introduction part of the Procedures and Arrangements Manual, may be given automatically for ships introducing modifications to paragraphs 1.3 and 4.4 of the manuals, as set out in resolution MEPC.264(68). Where such an automatic approval has been given, this approval remains valid until the first scheduled survey related to the NLS Certificate or the Certificate of Fitness.

Form of Garbage Record Book

14 Amendments have been introduced to the chapeau of section 4.1.3 of the Form of Garbage Record Book to make reference to the provisions of chapter 5 of part II-A of the Polar Code.

15 It is recommended that no approval is needed for ships introducing modifications to section 4.1.3 of the Form of Garbage Record Book, as set out in resolution MEPC.265(68).


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