1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee,
at its fifty-ninth session (13 to 17 July 2009), approved the Guidelines
for the Development of a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Management
Plan for tankers carrying crude oil (resolution
MEPC.185(59)).
2 In conjunction with consideration of the guidelines,
MEPC 59 agreed that additional technical information on vapour pressure
control systems and their operation would assist the industry in development
of VOC management plans. Therefore, MEPC 59 agreed to the technical
information on systems and operation to assist development of VOC
management plans for tankers carrying crude oil, as set out in the
annex to this document.
3 The technical information addresses the general
equipment and systems involved, their operation and conditions on
board a crude oil tanker with respect to the formation and emission
of non-methane Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) as well as the ability
to control VOC formation and emissions.
4 Member Governments are invited to bring this
circular to the attention of their Administrations, relevant shipping
organizations, recognized organizations, shipping companies and other
stakeholders concerned and encourage them to take it into account
when applying the Guidelines for the development of a VOC management
plan for crude oil tankers.