Damage Stability for Tankers

14 May 2015  |  C15017

Annex I to MARPOL 73/78, the IBC Code and the IGC Code have been amended requiring for new and existing tankers to be fitted with a stability instrument for intact and damage stability calculations

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners / Managers / Operators  |  Surveyors  |  Flag Administrations

The relevant Annex of MARPOL as well as the two IMO Codes have been amended requiring for tankers to be fitted with a stability instrument capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage stability requirements, approved by the Administration, having regard to the performance standards recommended by IMO.  The loading instrument must comply with the following standards:

• Part B, Chapter 4, of the International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), as amended;
• The Guidelines for the Approval of Stability Instruments (refer to MSC.1/Circ.1229), Annex, Section 4, as amended; and
• The technical standards defined in Part 1 of the Guidelines for verification of damage stability requirements for tankers (refer to MSC.1/Circ.1461)

applicability

These amendments are applicable to new and existing tankers. Tanker include an oil tanker, chemical tanker or gar tankers applicable as follow:

• tankers constructed before January 1, 2016 shall comply with these amendments at the first scheduled renewal survey of the ship after January 1, 2016 but not later than January 1, 2021;
• notwithstanding the above requirements, a stability instrument fitted on an tanker constructed before January 1, 2016 need not be replaced provided it is capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage stability, to the satisfaction of the Administration; and
• for the purposes of control under Regulation 11 of Annex I and Regulation 16 of Annex II to MARPOL 73/78, the Administration shall issue a document of approval for the stability instrument.

waiver

The Administration may waive the requirements for the following tankers if loaded in accordance with the conditions approved by the Administration taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization (refer to MSC.1/Circ.1461):

• tankers which are on a dedicated service, with a limited number of permutations of loading such that all anticipated conditions have been approved in the stability information provided to the master in accordance with Regulation 28(5) of Annex I to MARPOL 73/78 or Paragraph 2.2.5 of the IBC Code / IGC Code;
• tankers where stability verification is made remotely by a means approved by the Administration;
• tankers which are loaded within an approved range of loading conditions; or
• tankers constructed before January 1, 2016 provided with approved limiting KG/GM curves covering all applicable intact and damage stability requirements.

act now

Ship Owners / Managers / Operators must prepare and fit on board the require stability instrument for intact and damage calculations. Since the approval of such an instrument is time consuming we urge ship Owners / Managers / Operators to contact Dromon Headquarters and commence the procedure of approval as well as receive advice, if needed, on which programs are approved for use.

Ship Managers must ensure that seafarers will be trained in the use of stability instruments and be competent to show compliance during an inspection / audit.

Dromon Surveyors must ensure that tankers as outlined above have an approved loading instrument on board after January 1, 2016 and that such an instrument is approved.

Dromon Auditors must ensure during a safety management audit after January 1, 2016 that seafarers are familiar with use of this stability instrument.

Dromon Headquarters will be issuing further guidelines to Surveyors and Auditors concerning this matter.