PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY
DIRECTORAGE GENERAL OF MERCHANT MARINE
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE, N.Y.
MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR No. 147
PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY
To: SHIPOWNERS / OPERATORS, RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATION
Subject: Acceptance of the Exemption provision for the Vegetable Oils in the Revised
MARPOL Annex II and IBC/BCH Code as amended
Reference: Resolutions MEPC.118(52) and MSC.176(79)
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this Merchant Marine Circular is to provide Panamanian flagged
ships with general guidelines for the implementation of the Revised Annex II
(Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) of
the “International Convention for the Prevention of pollution from Ships 1973,
modified by the Protocol of 1978 and amended by the 1997 Protocol” adopted by
Resolution MEPC.118(52) and the amendments to the International Code for the
Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC
Code) adopted by Resolution MSC.176(79).
Resolutions MEPC.118(52) and MSC.176(79) will enter into force, on January
1, 2007. They are applicable to all ships carrying dangerous chemicals or
noxious liquid substances in bulk, regardless of date of construction. All
applicable requirements shall be met by January 1, 2007. Substances have been
re-classified in accordance with the new classification criteria resulting in more
stringent pollution categories and Ship Types in many cases.
Vegetable oils are currently listed in Chapter 18 of the IBC Code “List of
products to which the Code does not apply”. Actually they can be carried on
tankers not complying with the requirements of the Chemical Codes. In order to
carry vegetable oils, the tankers should be certified under the provisions of
MARPOL Annex II. With the re-classification of substances, these cargoes have
been individually identified and listed in Chapter 17 of the IBC Code, which
specifies that they should be carried onboard ship type 2 chemical tankers.
Certain noxious liquid substances which posses properties similar to those of
MARPOL Annex I cargoes, also known as Oil-like Substances, are allowed to
be carried on oil tankers under the provisions of Regulation 14 of MARPOL
Annex II of the present convention. From January 1, 2007, these cargoes can
only be carried on chemical tankers which fully comply with the Chemical
Codes, as appropriate, and any residues must be discharged in accordance with
the provisions of MARPOL Annex II.
APPLICABILITY
1. The Panama Maritime Authority supports the exemption provisions of
Regulation 4.1.3 of MARPOL 73/78, Annex II (revised). According to
regulation 4.1.3 ship type 3 chemical tankers which fully comply with the IBC
Code and MARPOL Annex II will require an exemption certificate issued by
the administration in order to carry individually identified vegetable oils. The
exemption shall be granted to those vessels which meet the provisions described
in Regulation 4.1.3 of MARPOL 73/78, Annex II (revised). The exemption
certificate shall be issued with the same expiration date as the Certificate of
Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (CoF).
The Panama Maritime Authority remain to all Class Society / Recognized
Organization to proceed according to the requirements and specification
required in the revised Annex II and IBC code.
INSTRUCTIONS
1 All applications shall be submitted to the Panama Maritime Authority head
quarter office in Panama. The following documents shall be submitted to
the review by administration:
1 Form of Application for the exemption certificate. (Attach to this
circular).
2 Copy of the certificate of Fitness for the carriage of Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk (CoF).
3 Statement of Class Society / Recognize Organization indicating
that the vessel is in compliance with all the technical requirements
applicable under the reg. 4.1.3 of Marpol 73/78, Annex II
(revised).
4 Steel Plan, showing Midship section (or transverse section or tank
Arrangements), Capacity Plan.
5 Declaration of Product with the full particular specify by the
operator (ISM).
In case the Panama Maritime Authority has been provided previously with
the plans and drawing required above the item 1.4 may be avoided.
2 The exchange of communication for the intention to apply for the subject
exemption shall be sent in electronic format (except the Plans), or hard
copy and addressed to General Directorate of Merchant Marine,
PIC: Eng. Fidel Gonzalez F.
email address: [email protected]
Phone: (507) 501-5089
Fax: (507) 501-5091
Hard copy of the relative documents should be send to:
Panama Maritime Authority
General Directorate of Merchant Marine,
P.O. Box 5245 Panama 5
Republic of Panama
