Section 3 Supplementary characters

3.1.1 For assignment of the A character, the anti-fouling system applied to the ship's hull is to be listed as biocide-free in the Lloyd’s Register List of Approved Products.

3.2.1 For the assignment of the BIO character, the ship is to have in place bio-fouling management plans, developed in accordance with IMO Resolution MEPC.207(62) – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species – (Adopted on 15 July 2011). In addition, the Bio-fouling Management Plan is to be reviewed by LR for conformance with Resolution MEPC.207(62) – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species – (Adopted on 15 July 2011).

3.2.2 The ship is also to have on board a Bio-fouling Record Book in the format shown in Appendix 2 - Biofouling Management Plan and Record book of Resolution MEPC.207(62) – 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive Aquatic Species – (Adopted on 15 July 2011) that contains at least the following:

• Details of the anti-fouling systems and operational practices used (where appropriate, as recorded in the Anti-fouling System Certificate), where and when it was installed, areas of the ship that are coated, its maintenance and, where applicable, its operation; dates and location of dry-dockings/slippings, including the date the ship was refloated, and any measures taken to remove bio-fouling or to renew or repair the anti-fouling system;
• The date and location of in-water inspections, the results of those inspections and any corrective action taken to deal with observed bio-fouling;
• The dates and details of inspection and maintenance of internal sea-water cooling systems, the results of those inspections, and any corrective action taken to deal with observed bio-fouling and any reported blockages; and
• Details of when the ship has been operating outside its normal operating profile, including any details of when the ship was laid-up or inactive for extended periods of time.

3.3.1 For assignment of the CRM character, cargo residue is to be minimised.

3.3.2 In accordance with MARPOL Annex II, Regulation 12 - Pumping, piping, unloading arrangements and slop tanks, individual cargo tanks are not to retain more than 60 litres of residue in the tank and associated piping.

3.3.3 A performance test is to be conducted in accordance with Appendix 5 - Assessment of Residue Quantities in Cargo Tanks, Pumps and Associated Piping of MARPOL Annex II and a record of the test results retained on board.

3.4.1 For assignment of the EAL character, the ship shall use Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL) that comply with the EPA criteria, as defined in Section 2.2.9 of the 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP).

3.4.2 Ships shall have on board a ’Report of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants’ and a Statement of Fact issued by LR or equivalent documentation issued by another IACS member.

3.4.3 All the planned actions mentioned in the relevant Sections of the Report shall be completed, as appropriate, for the assignment of the supplementary character.

3.5.1 The ‘attained’ Energy Efficiency Design Index is to be established in accordance with Resolution MEPC.308(73) - 2018 Guidelines on the Method of Calculation of the Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for New Ships - (adopted on 26 October 2018) and verified in accordance with LR’s procedure for verifying EEDI values.

3.5.2 The EEDI-3 character will be assigned to ‘new ships’ (according to MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 1, Regulation 2 - Definitions) to which EEDI Phase 0, Phase 1 or Phase 2 is applicable when the 'attained' EEDI is less than or equal to the EEDI Phase 3 requirement.

3.6.1 For the assignment of the EnMS character, certification under ISO 50001 (Energy Management) is to be issued by an accredited organisation and is to be applicable to the management and operation of the ship.

3.7.1 These requirements apply to ships with an integrated bilge water system.

3.7.2 For assignment of the IBTS character, the ship is to have an integrated bilge water system designed and installed to meet the requirements of the Revised Guidelines for Systems for Handling Oily Wastes in Machinery Spaces of Ships and incorporating MEPC.1/Circular.642 – 2008 Revised Guidelines for Systems for Handling Oily Wastes in Machinery Spaces of Ships Incorporating Guidance Notes for an Integrated Bilge Water Treatment System (IBTS)... & MEPC.1/Circular.643 – Harmonized Implementation of the Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Pollution Prevention Equipment for Machinery Space Bilges of Ships During the Type-Approval Process – (12 November 2008) as amended by MEPC.1/Circular.676 – Amendment to the 2008 Revised Guidelines for Systems for Handling Oily Wastes in Machinery Spaces of Ships Incorporating Guidance Notes for an Integrated Bilge Water Treatment System (IBTS) – (31 July 2009) & MEPC.1/Circular.760 – Amendments to the 2008 Revised Guidelines for Systems for Handling Oily Wastes in Machinery Spaces of Ships Incorporating Guidance Notes for an IBTS (MEPC.1/Circ.642, as Amended by MEPC.1/Circ.676) – (25 August 2011).

3.7.3 Ships are to have on board a Statement of Fact on Installation of an Integrated Bilge Water Treatment System (IBTS), issued by LR.

3.8.1 For assignment of the GW character a dedicated plant for the treatment of grey water is to be installed, and the plant discharge effluent is to meet the standards specified in Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.8 Grey water – GW character 3.8.2 or Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.8 Grey water – GW character 3.8.3, as applicable. The GW character will also be assigned where grey water is retained on board in dedicated holding tank(s) for discharge ashore, subject to the requirements specified in Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.8 Grey water – GW character 3.8.4 to Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.8 Grey water – GW character 3.8.9 being met.

3.8.2 Where it is not intended that the effluent is recycled or re-used for any purpose, the effluent of the grey water treatment plant is to meet the following standards:

1. Thermotolerant coliforms:

   The geometric mean of the thermotolerant coliform count of samples of effluent taken during a test period is not to exceed 100 thermotolerant coliforms/100 ml as determined by membrane filter, multiple tube fermentation or an equivalent analytical procedure.

2. Total Suspended solids:

   • Where the equipment is tested onshore, the geometric mean of the total suspended solids content of the samples of effluent taken during the test period is not to exceed 35 mg/l.
   • Where the equipment is tested on board the ship, the geometric mean of the total suspended solids content of the samples of effluent taken during the test period is not to exceed the suspended solids content of the ambient (flushing) water used on board plus 35 mg/l.
   • The method of testing is to be as given in Resolution MEPC.227(64) – 2012 Guidelines on Implementation of Effluent Standards and Performance Tests for Sewage Treatment Plants – (Adopted on 5 October 2012).

3. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) and chemical oxygen demand (COD):

   • The geometric mean of a 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) is not to exceed 25 mg/l. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) is not to exceed 125 mg/l. Test methods are to be ISO 15705:2002 for COD and ISO 5815-1:2003 for carbonaceous BOD₅ or other internationally accepted equivalent test standards.

4. pH: The pH of the samples of effluent taken during the test period is to be between 6 and 8,5.

5. Zero or non-detected values: For thermotolerant coliforms, zero values are to be replaced with a value of 1 thermotolerant coliform/100 ml to allow the calculation of the geometric mean. For total suspended solids, BOD₅ and COD values below the limit of detection are to be replaced with one half the limit of detection to allow the calculation of the geometric mean.

3.8.3 Where it is intended that the effluent of the grey water treatment plant is to be re-used or recycled for any purpose, the effluent is to meet the potable water quality standards of the Flag or Port State Administration, as appropriate.

3.8.4 As an alternative to treatment, where grey water is retained on board in dedicated holding tank(s) for discharge ashore an additional allowance of 135 litres per person per day is to be made in the capacity of the holding tanks. Each tank is to be fitted with a means to open the tank, means to verify visually the contents of the tank and a high level alarm. Each tank is to be fitted with a means to open the tank, means to verify visually the contents of the tank and a high level alarm. See Pt 7, Ch 11, 2.8 Sewage treatment 2.8.2.

3.8.5 Where grey water is retained on board in dedicated holding tanks, means are to be provided to aerate the tanks to prevent the development of anaerobic conditions, taking into account MSC/Circular.648 – Guidelines for the Operation, Inspection and Maintenance of Ship Sewage Systems – (Adopted on 6 June 1994) .

3.8.6 Ventilation pipes from the grey water treatment system and, where provided, from holding tank(s) are to be independent of other ventilation systems.

3.8.7 A suitable piping system from the grey water treatment system or holding tank(s) is to be provided to allow discharge to shore reception facilities. The discharge pipe is to terminate with a standard discharge connection complying with the requirements of MARPOL Annex IV, Regulation 10 - Standard Discharge Connections. Any connection from the grey water system to the sewage discharge is to be via a screw down non-return valve.

3.8.8 Records of grey water treatment and/or discharge are to be maintained. A single record book may be utilised for both grey water and sewage records. Records detailing discharges from the holding tank(s) are to include:

1. the date, location and quantity of grey water discharged from the holding tank(s) either ashore or at sea;

2. rate of discharge of untreated grey water;

3. distance from land and ship’s speed, when untreated grey water is discharged to sea.

3.8.9 Procedures for the cleaning and safe entry of grey water treatment systems and holding tanks, including the use of suitable personal protective equipment, are to be provided and implemented.

3.9.1 For assignment of the OW character, all drainage from machinery space bilges is to be discharged ashore, except under exceptional circumstances.

3.9.2 Adequate capacity for storage of oily bilge water between discharges ashore is to be provided.

3.9.3 Alternatively, discharge to sea is permitted where it can be demonstrated that the oil-in-water content of the water discharged is less than 5 ppm.

3.9.4 The bilge alarm, set at 5 ppm, is to be recalibrated or retested every five years by the manufacturer or other acceptable alternative and full records of the recalibration or retesting are to be kept on board.

3.9.5 Full records of all discharges are to be kept.

3.10.1 For assignment of the P character, in addition to compliance with the requirements of Pt 7, Ch 11, 2.6 Oil pollution prevention 2.6.11, all fuel oil, lubricating oil tanks and hydraulic oil are to be located in a protected location away from the ship's side or bottom shell plating.

3.10.2 All fuel oil, lubricating oil and hydraulic oil tanks, with a capacity greater than 60 m³, are to be located in accordance with the requirements relating to fuel oil tank protection given in MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 12A, paragraphs 6, 7 and 8. Where tanks cannot be located in such locations the vessel is to comply with the accidental fuel oil outflow performance standard, as specified in paragraph 11 of MARPOL, Annex I, Regulation 12A.

3.10.3 Main engine lubricating oil drain tanks and fuel overflow tanks are excluded.

3.10.4 Arrangements providing equivalent protection will be given special consideration.

3.10.5 Suction wells may protrude below fuel oil tanks provided they are as small as possible and the distance between the tank bottom and the ship's bottom shell plating is not reduced by more than 50 per cent.

3.11.1 For assignment of the R character, natural substances are to be used as the refrigerants in all main refrigeration systems such as cargo systems, provision rooms and air conditioning.

3.11.2 Small factory-built refrigeration system(s) that use fluorinated refrigerants, having a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 1950 are allowable.

3.11.3 The GWP value is based on the 100-year time horizon.

3.12.1 Where Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) discharge liquid effluents overboard, the Guidelines on EGCS in section 10 Washwater of Resolution MEPC.259(68) - 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems - (Adopted on 15 May 2015) are to be followed.

3.13.1 For the assignment of the TC character, oil and chemical tankers are to be provided with tank washing equipment meeting the standards specified in Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.13 Enhanced tank cleaning – TC character 3.13.2 to Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.13 Enhanced tank cleaning – TC character 3.13.8.

3.13.2 Cargo tanks are to be served by individual pumps.

3.13.3 Permanent tank washing machines shall be type approved in accordance with the revised IMO Resolution A.446(XI) – Revised specifications for the design, operation and control of crude oil washing systems – (Adopted on 15 November 1979) , and their method of support is to be acceptable to LR.

3.13.4 At the design stage the following minimum procedures are to be used to determine the area of the tank surface covered by direct impingement (longitudinals, brackets, stiffeners, ladders, pipework, corrugations on corrugated bulkheads and face plates can be ignored):

1. using suitable structural plans, lines are set out from the tips of each machine to those parts of the tank within the range of the jets; or

2. a pinpoint of light simulating the tip of the tank washing machine in a scale model of the tank are to be used.

Alternative methods of measurement will be considered.

3.13.5 Additional tank washing equipment, which may be portable, is also to be provided to enable washing of the shadow areas without the necessity to enter the tanks. The use of portable machines to wash the shadow areas is not to be undertaken where the last cargo in the tank has toxic or low ignition properties, reacts with water or has other properties specified in chapter 15 of the IBC Code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in BulkAmended by Resolution MEPC.225(64) which would prevent water washing or opening of the tank to allow the use of portable washing machines.

3.13.6 A back-up system to provide cleaning capability in the event of failure of one tank washing machine is to be provided.

3.13.7 Heating equipment is to be provided for a tank washing medium which achieves a minimum temperature of 85°C at the connection to the tank washing machine.

3.13.8 The effectiveness of the tank washing system is to be confirmed by tank inspections or other means as required by LR. The confirmation is to be carried out when the ship is in service. For ships fitted with crude oil washing system(s) the confirmation will be carried out as part of the MARPOL Annex I of MARPOL 73/78Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil survey and need not be carried out separately.

3.14.1 Tankers carrying crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals having a flash point not exceeding 60°C (closed-cup test) will be assigned the VECS-L, VOC-R character(s) provided the requirements of Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.14 Vapour emission control systems – VECS-L, VOC-R characters 3.14.2 and/or Pt 7, Ch 11, 3.14 Vapour emission control systems – VECS-L, VOC-R characters 3.14.3 respectively are complied with, as applicable.

3.14.2 For assignment of the VECS-L character, a vapour emission control system is to be fitted, as specified in Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.8 Descriptive notes, and designed and constructed to meet the requirements for vapour balancing in accordance with USCG 46, CFR 39.40 for service vessels.

3.14.3 For assignment of the VOC-R character, a self-contained system capable of preventing vapour emission formation during loading is to be fitted. This vapour emission prevention system is to be of a type approved by LR and is to reduce vapour emission formation by at least 75 per cent (v/v) as compared to an equivalent ship to which no vapour emissions prevention system has been fitted.