Measures to eliminate sub-standard tankers

Maritime Safety Committee - 73rd session: 27 November - 6 December 2000

IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has developed a preliminary list of proposed measures aimed at eliminating sub-standard oil tankers and other sub-standard ships. During the MSC’s 73^rd session, a working group agreed a list of 22 proposed measures aimed at "enhancing safety and minimizing the risk of oil pollution".

The MSC agreed to refer the working group’s report to the Organization’s Sub-Committees and to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for general consideration. The Sub-Committees are expected to consider the issues assigned to them (see below), advise MSC 74 on the outcome and, where appropriate, submit proposals for inclusion of these matters in their work programmes.

The list was developed from a preliminary list of proposed measures drawn up by the MEPC when it met in October 2000, during discussions on issues arising from the Erika disaster off the coast of France in December 1999. At that time, the MEPC also agreed to accelerate the current phase-out schedule for single-hull oil tankers, with the finalized revised phase-out schedule set to be adopted at the next MEPC session in April 2001.

The list of proposed measures for discussion by the Sub-Committees, MSC and MEPC includes the following:

Measures aimed at enhancing safety and minimizing the risk of oil pollution

Proposed measure	Ship type to which it applies New/existing	IMO body to consider further
General Identify and quantify the risks associated with the transport of high density and persistent oils as cargo and possible options to prevent accidental spills or outflow of such oils	Oil tanker New & existing	BLG
Ensure that any corrective regulatory measures in the aftermath of a casualty are based on an authoritative investigation where the root causes of the accident are identified and analysed	All ships New & existing	MSC and MEPC
Consider the lessons learnt from the operation of single hull tankers and decide whether these apply to double hull tankers, taking into account their particular design features, especially regarding ageing double hull tankers. Consider also any other safety measures which may be necessary	Double hull tankers New & existing	DE, FP, SLF and BLG
Invite consideration of protection of fuel oil tanks	All ship types New	DE and BLG
Examine the need to establish principles for coastal States, acting either individually or on a regional basis, to review their contingency arrangements regarding the provision of ports of refuge	All ship types New & existing	COMSAR and OPRC working group
Ship design, construction and repair Establish how and to what extent the responsibility of shipyards for the construction and repair of ships in conformity with national regulations, class rules and relevant international standards should be determined	All ship types New & existing	DE
Identify any new measures specific to the operation of double hull tankers, due to their increased structural complexity	Double hull oil tankers New & existing	DE and FP
Establish a design philosophy aimed at achieving a higher structural standard. This philosophy should, inter alia: identify the minimum design life of the ship; establish a required residual redundancy of structure, taking into account aspects such as structural fatigue, local stresses, corroision and bucking; take into account necessary structural redundnancy due to possible human error in cargo operations and seamanship; simplify the structural configuration to facilitate access, maintenance and inspection; establish the adequate frequency and extent of surveys; and take into account any other aspects relevant to this issue.	All ships New	DE
Bulk carriers and tankers should be made survey-friendly from the design stage	Bulk carriers and oil tankers New	DE
Surveys Resolution A.744(18) should be reviewed to make survey procedures stricter and to strengthen the effectiveness of the application of ESP requirements. Special consideration should be given to items related to planning of survey and repairs; splitting of surveys; surveyor attendance during thickness measurement; deferral of repairs; and survey reporting	Bulk carriers and oil tankers New and existing	DE and FSI
Define standard terminology and procedures which accurately describe the extent of problems/defects identified during surveys, which should be made mandatory for all survey reports	All ship types New and existing	DE and STW
Improvement of surveyors’ qualifications	All ship types New and existing	FSI
Consider making mandatory the use of exclusive surveyors for statutory surveys	All ship types New and existing	FSI
Certification Develop an interpretation of SOLAS regulation I/14(e) to clarify that extension of the period of validity of certificates can only be granted in very specific circumstances	All ship types New and existing	FSI
Human element Consider human element issues including training of seafarers, human resources and other operational measures which will minimize the risk of oil pollution from tankers	All ship types, especially oil tankers	STW and the Joint MSC/MEPC Working Group on the Human Element
Safety of navigation/Emergency Consider whether there is a need to develop additional requirements for the proper handling of ships and prudent seamanship in adverse weather conditions	All ships New and existing	STW and NAV
Consider what additional safety measures may be necessary for ships navigating in narrow waterways and/or areas of dense traffic	All ships New & existing	STW and NAV
Implementation Continue to promote the uniform and effective implementation of rules, regulations and guidelines by all parties concerned for the safe transport of cargoes in general, and of polluting cargoes in particular	All ship types New & existing	FSI
Review the guidelines on the performance and control of classification societies to enhance supervision by flag State	All ship types New & existing	FSI
Develop minimum harmonized survey requirements to ensure compliance with the applicable provisions on transfer of class	All ship types New and existing	FSI
Develop new provisions on change of flag	All ship types New and existing	FSI
Port State control Improve the uniformity of inspection and reporting practices for port State control and promote exchange of information	All ship types New and existing	FSI

Key:

MSC Maritime Safety Committee
MEPC Marine Environment Protection Committee
BLG Sub-committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases
FP Sub-committee on Fire Protection
COMSAR Sub-committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue
NAV Sub-committee on Safety of Navigation
DE Sub-committee on Ship Design and Equipment
STW Sub-committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping
FSI Sub-committee on Flag State Implementation