1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its sixty-second session (11 to 15 July
2011), recognizing the need to clarify how biofuels subject to MARPOL Annex II, when
blended with MARPOL Annex I cargoes, can be shipped in bulk, approved the 2011
Guidelines for the carriage of blends of petroleum oil and bio-fuels
(MEPC.1/Circ.761).
2 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its sixty-fourth session (1 to 5 October
2012), approved amendments to the 2011 Guidelines, as set out in annex 3 to document BLG
16/16, relating to deck fire-fighting system requirements and the fire protection
assignment (column l) given for the entry "Biofuel blends of Gasoline and Ethyl alcohol
(>25% but <99% by volume)", and issued MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1 accordingly.
3 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its seventy-fourth session (13 to 17 May
2019), recognizing the need to make consequential amendments to the 2011 Guidelines as a
result of the inclusion of a new annex 12 on energy-rich fuels in the MEPC.2/Circular on
Provisional categorization of liquid substances in accordance with MARPOL Annex II
and the IBC Code, and the Maritime Safety Committee, at its 101st session (5 to 14
June 2019), recognizing the need to include reference to SOLAS regulation VI/5.2 regarding the prohibition of the blending
of bulk liquid cargoes and production processes during sea voyages, approved the 2019
Guidelines for the carriage of blends of MARPOL Annex I cargoes and biofuels, as set
out in the annex.
4 Member Governments and international organizations are invited to bring the annexed
Guidelines to the attention of Administrations, recognized organizations, port authorities,
shipowners, ship operators and other parties concerned.
5 This circular revokes MEPC.1/Circ.761/Rev.1.