MARPOL Phase Out and CAS

The International Regulatory News Update on MEPC 50, issued in December 2003, reported on the revisions of MARPOL Annex I that will enter into force on 5 April 2005. Owners of all oil tankers classed with ABS were further informed of these revisions by letter in July 2004. The accelerated phase out schedule for single hull oil tankers is contained in resolution MEPC.111(50) and has been entered on the survey status of each affected vessel on ABS Safenet which is available to Owners. The current phase out date for affected oil tankers, which remains in effect until 5 April 2005, is indicated in the ABS Record (http://www.eagle.org/prodserv/vesselinfo.html)

The original Condition Assessment Scheme, CAS, was extended in scope of application and amended by resolution MEPC.112(50) and MEPC 51-22_Annex 12. A comment to Owners regarding CAS compliance is entered on the survey status of each affected vessel on ABS Safenet. Owners are reminded that the CAS planning process is lengthy and involves a number of steps prior to commencement of the actual survey. To start the process, Owners are to advise the flag Administration, with copy to ABS, of their intention to seek CAS certification eight (8) months in advance of their planned commencement of the CAS survey.