The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted a new Regulation 16 of MARPOL73/78 Annex II, and amended Regulation 26 of MARPOL 73/78 Annex I. Regulation 16 of Annex II requires that any new and existing ship of 150gt or over, which is certified to carry noxious liquid substances (NLS), must carry onboard an approved ‘Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances’, by January 1, 2003. To assist, ‘Guidelines for the Development of Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans For Oil and/or Noxious Liquid Substances’, are published as MEPC.85(44).

For ships with an approved Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans (SOPEP), there is no action required. The existing SOPEP does not need amending or re-approval. However, it should be noted that when amending a SOPEP for any reason after 1st January 2003, the revised requirements of MEPC.54(32) as amended by MEPC.86(44) must also be addressed. The booklet containing the amended ‘Guidelines for the Development of Shipboard Oil PollutionEmergency Plans’ and ‘Guidelines for the Development of Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans for Oil and/or Noxious Liquid Substances’ is available from IMO. For details on how to obtain a copy, visit their website.