THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA Marine Notice

LIBERIA MARITIME AUTHORITY

POL-001
Office of Rev. 11/24
Deputy Commissioner
of Maritime Affairs

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND AUTHORIZED CLASSIFICATION
SOCIETIES

SUBJECT: Prevention of Pollution from Ships

Reference: (a) Maritime Regulation 2.37

(b) MARPOL Convention

Supersedes: Marine Notice POL-001, dated 11/22

The following changes have been included:

a. Added new paragraph 1.1.15, establishing the effective date for MARPOL Annex I
discharge requirements for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas adopted by
MEPC Resolution 381(80).

b. Added new paragraph 1.1.16, discussing the amendments adopted by MEPC

Resolution 384(81).

PURPOSE:

This Notice emphasizes the importance of protecting the marine environment by the
prevention of pollution from ships in the Liberian Registry. This Notice also provides the
Administration’s guidance toward compliance with the Annexes I, II, III and IV of
MARPOL. For guidance toward compliance with Annexes V and VI, refer to Marine
Notices POL-009 and POL-013.

APPLICABILITY:

All ships will find requirements applicable to their particular type of operation and trade.
Ships crews must be familiar with and aware of these requirements.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 The MARPOL Convention

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL
Convention), is concerned with preserving the marine environment through the prevention

1 of 11
Inquiries concerning the subject of this Notice should be directed to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Republic of
Liberia, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, 22980 Indian Creek Dr., Suite 200, Vienna, VA 20166,
USA. The most current version of all Marine Notices are available in the Online Library at: http://www.liscr.com
 of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental
discharge of such substances. Its technical content is laid out in six Annexes, the first five
of which were adopted by the 1973 Convention, as modified by a 1978 Protocol. These
Annexes cover pollution of the sea by oil, by noxious liquid substances in bulk, by harmful
substances in packaged form, by sewage from ships, and by garbage from ships. Annex VI
was adopted by a further Protocol in 1997 and covers air pollution from ships.

1.1 Annex I (Oil Pollution) - This Annex which was ratified by Liberia in October 1980 came
into force internationally on 2 October, 1983 for full compliance by 2 October, 1987.
Annex I applies to all ships unless expressly provided otherwise (Regulation 2). Oil tankers
of 150 tons gross tonnage and above and every other ship of 400 tons gross tonnage and
above are subject to the surveys specified in Regulation 6.

1.1.1 MEPC Resolution 107(49), as amended, revised the test guidelines and
specification for 15ppm oil water separators and bilge alarms.
• All such equipment installed on ships after 1 January, 2005 will have to meet
these requirements.
• Equipment installed on board on or after 14 November, 1978 and until 1
January, 2005 shall have to continue to meet the recommendations and
international performance and test specifications found in IMO Resolution
A.393(X) as applicable; or
• If installed on board on or after 30 April, 1994 but before 1 January, 2005, it
will have to continue to meet the guidelines and specifications found in
MEPC Resolution 60(33) or the 2011 Guidelines and specifications for add-
on equipment for upgrading MEPC Resolution 60(33)-compliant oil filtering
equipment.
• Any 15ppm oil water separators and bilge alarm, which previously met the
standards found in either MEPC Resolution 60(33) or IMO Resolution
A.393(X) and which is found defective and must be replaced, will have to be
replaced by equipment meeting the new standards found in MEPC
Resolution 107(49), as amended.
• The validity of calibration certificates of the 15ppm bilge alarm should be
checked at IOPP annual/intermediate/renewal surveys. The accuracy of
15ppm bilge alarms is to be checked by calibration and testing of the
equipment conducted by a manufacturer or persons authorized by the
manufacturer and should be done at intervals not exceeding five years after
its commissioning, or within the term specified in the manufacturer's
instructions, whichever is shorter. Alternatively, the unit may be replaced by
a calibrated 15 ppm bilge alarm. The calibration certificate for the 15ppm
bilge alarm, certifying the date of the last calibration check, should be retained
on board for inspection purposes.

1.1.2 MEPC Resolution 108(49), revised the guidelines and specifications for oil
discharge monitoring and control systems (ODMCS) for oil tankers.
• All such equipment installed on oil tankers the keels of which were laid, or at
a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 January, 2005 shall meet the new
requirements. The guidelines and specification adopted under Resolutions

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 A.393(X), A.496 (XII), MEPC.13(19) and A.586(14) are not applicable to
oil tankers to which these new guidelines and specification apply.

Equipment installed in other oil tankers the keels of which are laid, or in a
similar stage of construction, before 1 January, 2005, should comply with
either the requirements contained in the guidelines and specification adopted
under Resolutions A.393(X), A.496(XII), MEPC.13(19) and A.586(14) as
applicable or with the requirements contained in these new guidelines and
specifications.

1.1.3 MEPC Resolution 240(65), adopted on 17 May,2013, further revised the

guidelines and specifications for oil discharge monitoring and control systems for
oil tankers (MEPC Resolution 108(49)) constructed on or after 1 January,2005,
carrying bio-fuels. On all oil tankers engaged in carriage of bio-fuel blends
containing 75% or more of petroleum oil on or after 1 January,2016, the Oil Content
Meter shall have a type approval certificate as modified by MEPC Resolution
240(65). MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.17, provides guidelines for carriage of blends of
petroleum oil and biofuels.

1.1.4 MEPC Resolution 141(54) added a new regulation 12A on oil fuel tank protection,
which applies to all ships with an aggregate oil fuel capacity of 600 m3 and above
which are delivered on or after 1 August, 2010, as defined in regulation 1.28.9 of
Annex 1.

1.1.5 MEPC Resolution 154(55) designated Southern South African waters and MEPC
Resolution 168(56) designated the Gulfs area as special areas under Annex I, with
effect from 01 August, 2008.

1.1.6 MEPC Resolution 186(59) added a new chapter 8 concerning transfer of oil cargo
between oil tankers at sea (STS Operations), development of an STS Operations
plan (Refer to Marine Notice POL-011 for details) and amendments to the IOPP
Certificate.

1.1.7 MEPC Resolution 187(59) provided new definitions for oily residue (sludge), oil
residue (sludge) tank, oily bilge water, oily bilge water holding tank; new
requirements for construction of oil residue (sludge) tanks (i.e. no discharge
connections to the bilge system, oily bilge water holding tank(s), tank top or oily
water separators) on ships delivered on or after 01 January, 2014; and amended the
supplement to the IOPP Certificate and the Oil Record Book Parts I & II.

1.1.8 MEPC Resolution 248(66), adopted amendments to Regulation 28 of MARPOL

Annex I requiring oil tankers constructed before 1 January, 2016 to carry a stability
instrument capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage stability
requirements approved the Administration at the first scheduled renewal survey on
or after 1 January, 2016 but no later than 1 January, 2021.

1.1.9 MEPC Resolution 265 (68), adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex I related to
implementation of the relevant chapters in the Polar Code, which entered into force
on 1 January, 2017.
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 1.1.10 MEPC Resolution 266(68), further adopted amendments to Regulation 12 of
MARPOL Annex I requiring ships constructed before 1 January, 2017 to comply
with the sludge tank discharge piping (i.e. no discharge connections to the bilge
system, oily bilge water holding tank(s), tank top or oily water separators) not later
than the first renewal survey carried out on or after 1 January, 2017.

1.1.11 Chapter 1 of part II-A of the Polar Code:

• Prohibits the discharge of oil or oily mixtures from the machinery spaces and cargo
areas of any ship when operating in Arctic waters, in addition to Regulation 15.4
and 34.3 of MARPOL Annex I for Antarctic waters.

• Requires category A ships constructed before 1 January, 2017, operating

continuously for more than thirty (30) days in Arctic waters and unable to comply
with the no discharge requirements of oil or oily mixtures in Arctic waters, to
comply no later than the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever comes
first, after 1 January, 2018. Until 1 January, 2018, these ships shall comply with the
discharge requirements for special areas in Regulation 15.3 of MARPOL Annex I.

• Requires operation in polar waters to be taken into account, as appropriate, in the

Oil Record Books, manuals and the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan or the
shipboard marine pollution emergency plan as required by MARPOL Annex I.

• Introduced structural requirements for oil fuel tanks of category A and B ships with
an aggregate fuel capacity of less than 600 m3; for cargo tanks of category A and B
ships of less than 600 tones deadweight; and for all oil residue (sludge) tanks and
oily bilge water holding tanks of category A and B ships, constructed on or after 1
January, 2017.

1.1.12 MEPC.1/Circ.856, provides guidance concerning reissuing of certificates and

revisions of manuals and record books for compliance with the environmental
related provisions of the Polar Code.

1.1.13 MEPC Resolution 329 (76), adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex I,

prohibiting the carriage and use as fuel of heavy fuel oil by ships in Arctic waters,
on or after 1 July 2024. However, for ships that comply with regulation 12A of
MARPOL Annex I and have protected fuel tank(s), compliance is postponed until
1 July 2029.

1.1.14 MEPC Resolution 330 (76), adopted amendments to MARPOL Annexes I and IV,
concerning the exemption of unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) barges from
Surveys and Certification requirements. Refer to Marine Advisory 22/2022 for
additional details.

1.1.15 MEPC Resolution 381 (80), established 1 January, 2025, as the date on which the
discharge requirements of regulations 15.3, 15.5 and 34.3 to 34.5 of MARPOL
Annex I takes effect, with respect to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Special
Areas.
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 1.1.16 MEPC Resolution 384 (81), adopted amendments to Protocol I of MARPOL,
requiring in the case of the loss of freight container(s), that the report required by
Article II(1)(b) of the Protocol shall be made in accordance with the requirements
on danger messages as provided for in regulations V/31 and V/32 of the SOLAS,
as amended by Resolution MSC.550(108).

1.2 Annex II (Noxious liquid substances in bulk) - This Annex which was ratified by Liberia
in October 1990, entered into force internationally on 6 April, 1987. An extension was
granted for underwater discharges to 1 January, 1988. However, full compliance with
Annex II was required by 2 October, 1994. Annex II applies to all ships carrying noxious
liquid substances in bulk unless expressly provided otherwise (Regulation 2). MEPC
Resolution 118(52) adopted 15 October, 2004 revised Annex II and the requirements
entered into force 1 January, 2007. The revised Annex II includes a new four-category
categorization system for noxious and liquid substances. The new categories are:

• Category X: Noxious Liquid Substances which, if discharged into the sea

from tank cleaning or de-ballasting operations, are deemed to present a
major hazard to either marine resources or human health and, therefore,
justify the prohibition of the discharge into the marine environment;
• Category Y: Noxious Liquid Substances which, if discharged into the sea
from tank cleaning or de-ballasting operations, are deemed to present a
hazard to either marine resources or human health or cause harm to
amenities or other legitimate uses of the sea and therefore justify a
limitation on the quality and quantity of the discharge into the marine
environment;
• Category Z: Noxious Liquid Substances which, if discharged into the sea
from tank cleaning or de-ballasting operations, are deemed to present a
minor hazard to either marine resources or human health and therefore
justify less stringent restrictions on the quality and quantity of the
discharge into the marine environment; and
• Other Substances: substances which have been evaluated and found to fall
outside Category X, Y or Z because they are considered to present no harm
to marine resources, human health, amenities or other legitimate uses of
the sea when discharged into the sea from tank cleaning of de-ballasting
operations. The discharge of bilge or ballast water or other residues or
mixtures containing these substances are not subject to any requirements
of MARPOL Annex II.

1.2.1 The revised Annex includes a number of other significant changes. Improvements
in ship technology, such as efficient stripping techniques, has made possible
significantly lower permitted discharge levels of certain products which have been
incorporated into Annex II. For ships constructed on or after 1 January, 2007 the
maximum permitted residue in the tank and its associated piping left after discharge
will be set at a maximum of 75 liters for products in categories X, Y and Z compared
with previous limits which set a maximum of 100 or 300 liters, depending on the
product category.

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 1.2.2 Alongside the revision of Annex II, the marine pollution hazards of thousands of
chemicals have been evaluated by the Evaluation of Hazardous Substances
Working Group, giving a resultant GESAMP2 Hazard Profile which indexes the
substance according to its bio-accumulation; bio-degradation; acute toxicity;
chronic toxicity; long-term health effects; and effects on marine wildlife and on
benthic habitats.

1.2.3 As a result of the hazard evaluation process and the new categorization system,
vegetable oils which were previously categorized as being unrestricted will now be
required to be carried in chemical tankers. The revised Annex includes, under
regulation 4 Exemptions, provision for the Administration to exempt ships certified
to carry individually identified vegetable oils, subject to certain provisions relating
to the location of the cargo tanks carrying the identified vegetable oil.

1.2.4 MEPC Resolution 250(66), adopted amendments to Chapter 2 of the IBC Code
requiring all ships subject to the IBC Code constructed before 1 January, 2016 to
carry a stability instrument capable of verifying compliance with intact and damage
stability requirements approved the Administration at the first scheduled renewal
survey on or after 1 January, 2016 but no later than 1 January, 2021.

1.2.5 MEPC Resolution 265 (68), adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex II related
to implementation of the relevant chapters in the Polar Code, which enters into
force on 1 January, 2017.

1.2.6 Chapter 2 of part II-A of the Polar Code:

• Prohibits any discharge into the sea of noxious liquid substances or mixtures
containing such substances, in addition to Regulation 13.8 of MARPOL Annex II,
prohibiting discharge of noxious liquid substances or mixtures containing such
substances in Antarctic waters.

• Requires approval by the Administration for carriage of noxious liquid substances

by category A and B ships, as type 3 ships constructed on or after 1 January, 2017
and part II-B of the Polar Code provides recommendatory guidance on tank
separation for these ships.

• Requires operation in polar waters to be taken into account, as appropriate, in the

Cargo Record Book, the Procedures and Arrangements Manual and the shipboard
marine pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances or the shipboard
marine pollution emergency plan as required by MARPOL Annex II.

1.2.7 MEPC.1/Circ.856, provides guidance concerning reissuing of certificates and

revisions of manuals and record books for compliance with the environmental
related provisions of the Polar Code.

1.2.8 MEPC Resolution 315 (74), adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex II related
to prewash and discharge requirements for substances assigned to category Y that
are “persistent floaters”, i.e. , a slick forming substance with a density not greater
than sea water (1025 kg/m3 at 20°C); a vapour pressure of no more than 0.3 kPa;
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 solubility of no more 0.1% for liquids or no more than 10% for solids); and
kinematic viscosity greater than 10 cSt at 20°C." These amendments entered into
force on 1 January, 2021.

1.2.9 MEPC Resolution 318 (74), adopted numerous amendments to, which also entered
into force on 1 January, 2021. Amendments were made to Chapters 1, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19 and 21 of the IBC Code and included:

• Special requirements for hydrogen sulphide (H2S) detection equipment to be

provided on board ships carrying bulk liquids prone to H2S formation.
• Complete revision to Chapter 17, “Summary of minimum requirements” for
the carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances.
• Extensive amendments to the “Criteria for assigning carriage requirements for
products subject to the IBC Code”

For further particulars, please refer to Chapter VII, Parts B and C of SOLAS and also the
IBC, BCH (Chemical Tankers) and the IGC (Gas Carriers) Codes.

1.3 Annex III, (Harmful Substances in Packaged Form) - This Annex was ratified to by
Liberia on 12 June 1995 and became effective for all Liberian ships by 12 September, 1995.
Please also see chapter VII, Part A of SOLAS as well as the IMDG (International Maritime
Dangerous Goods) and the IMSBC (Solid Bulk Cargoes) Codes.

MEPC Resolution 156(55) revised Annex III and the requirements entered into force 1
January, 2010. The revised Annex III maintained the structure of the existing MARPOL
Annex III and the use of the term “Marine Pollutants”. Changes were made to Regulation
1 on “Application” and Regulation 4 on “Documentation” relating to stopover loading and
unloading operations. Criteria for the identification of harmful substances in packaged
form are given in the Appendix of the revised Annex III. Under the revised Annex III,
harmful substances are identified by one of the new categories, namely:
Acute 1, Chronic 1 and Chronic 2.

The revised Annex III is applicable to all ships carrying harmful substances in packaged
form (Regulation 1). Ship operators shall make available document listing the harmful
substances taken on board, indicating their location on board or showing a detailed stowage
plan to the port authority before departure if any loading or unloading operations, even
partial, are carried out at any stopover. The document can be combined with manifest for
dangerous goods provided that a clear distinction shall be made between dangerous goods
and harmful substances covered by Annex III.

1.4 Annex IV, (Sewage) - This Annex was ratified by Liberia on 21 August, 2006 and became
effective on 21 November, 2006 for Liberian flag ships of 400 gross tons and above; and
ships of less than 400 gross tons which are certified to carry more than 15 persons, engaged
in international voyages and built on or after that date. Liberian flag vessels built before 21
November, 2006 must comply from 21 November, 2011.

1.4.1 MEPC Resolution 143(54) added a new Regulation 13 to Annex IV, providing for
port state control of the operational requirements related to the prevention of
pollution by sewage.
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 1.4.2 MEPC Resolution 157(55) provided recommendations on standards for the rate of
discharge of untreated sewage from ships. The Administration has authorized the
class societies involved in the survey and issuance of International Sewage
Pollution Prevention (ISPP) certificates to Liberian flag ships to approve, on behalf
of the Administration, the maximum permissible discharge rates applicable to a
specific ship.

1.4.3 MEPC Resolution 159(55) provided revised guidelines on implementation of

effluent standards and performance tests for sewage treatment plants installed on
board on or after 1 January, 2010.

1.4.4 MEPC Resolution 164(56) amended Regulation 11 to include discharge of sewage

originating from spaces containing living animals with effect from 1 December,
2008.

1.4.5 MEPC Resolution 200(62) amended MARPOL Annex IV which designated the
Baltic Sea as a special area and added new regulations for discharge of sewage from
passenger ships.

1.4.6 MEPC Resolutions 274(69) and 275(69) set the entry into effect dates for the new
discharge regulations of sewage from passenger ships in the Baltic Sea special area:

• 1 June, 2019 for new passenger ships for which the building contract is
placed, or in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid, or
which is in similar stage of construction, on or after 1 June, 2019; or the
delivery of which is on or after 1 June, 2021.
• 1 June, 2021 for existing passenger ships; and 1 June, 2023 for existing
passenger ships en route directly to or from a port located outside the special
area and to or from a port located east of longitude 28˚10' E within the
special area that do not make any other port calls within the special area.

1.4.7 MEPC Resolution 227(64), as amended, provided revised guidelines on

implementation of effluent standards and performance tests for sewage treatment
plants:

• installed on or after 1 January, 2016 on ships, other than passenger ships, in

all areas;
• installed on or after 1 January, 2016 on passenger ships outside MARPOL
Annex IV special areas;
• installed on or after 1 June, 2019 on new passenger ships in MARPOL
Annex IV special areas;
• installed on or after 1 June, 2021 on existing passenger ships in MARPOL
Annex IV special areas; and
• installed on or after 1 June, 2023 for existing passenger ships en route
directly to or from a port located outside the special area and to or from a
port located east of longitude 28˚10' E within the special area that do not
make any other port calls within the special area.
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 1.4.8 MEPC Resolution 265 (68), adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex IV related
to implementation of the relevant chapters in the Polar Code, which enters into
force on 1 January, 2017.

1.4.9 Chapter 4 of part II-A of the Polar Code:

• Prohibits the discharges of sewage within polar waters, except when performed in
accordance with MARPOL Annex IV and under certain conditions.
• Prohibits the discharges of sewage in polar waters from category A and B ships
constructed on or after 1 January, 2017 and all passenger ships constructed on or
after 1 January, 2017, except when such discharges are in compliance with
paragraph 4.2.1.3 of part II-A of the Polar Code.
• Prohibits the discharges of sewage from category A and B ships that operate in
polar waters with ice concentrations exceeding 1/10 for extended periods of time,
except when the ship has in operation a sewage treatment plant certified by the
Administration to meet the operational requirements in either regulation 9.1.1 or
9.2.1 of MARPOL Annex IV and the discharges shall be subject to the approval by
the Administration.

1.4.10 MEPC.1/Circ.856 provides guidance concerning reissuing of certificates and

revisions of manuals and record books for compliance with the environmental
related provisions of the Polar Code.

Vessel owners are encouraged to contact their class society regarding verification of
compliance with Annex IV.

1.5 This Administration recommends that copies of the MARPOL Regulations be on board
each vessel and that the ship’s officers be knowledgeable and responsible in seeing that the
regulations are complied with. The Consolidated Edition of MARPOL, which includes the
Protocols as well as Annex I, II, III, IV, V and VI with the Unified Interpretations are
available as follows:

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Publications Section
4 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SR, England
Sales No. IMO-520 E

2.0 Vessel Onboard Requirements

2.1 Vessels are also required to have on board the following:

.1 International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate; International

Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate; International Air Pollution
Prevention (IAPP) Certificate; and International Energy Efficiency (IEE)
Certificate, as applicable - issued by an IACS class society on behalf of the
Administration.
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 .2 International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious
Liquid Substances in Bulk (NLS Certificate) - An international pollution
prevention certificate for the carriage of noxious liquid substances in bulk (NLS
certificate) issued, after survey in accordance with the provisions of regulation 8
of Annex II of MARPOL, to any ship carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk
and which is engaged in voyages to ports or terminals under the jurisdiction of other
Parties to MARPOL. In respect of chemical tankers, the Certificate of Fitness for
the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk and the International Certificate of
Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, issued under the
provisions of the Bulk Chemical Code and International Bulk Chemical Code,
respectively, have the same force and receive the same recognition as the NLS
certificate.
.3 Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk - A
certificate called a Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals
in Bulk, the model form of which is set out in the appendix to the Bulk Chemical
Code, issued after an initial or periodical survey to a chemical tanker engaged in
international voyages which complies with the relevant requirements of the Code.
Note: The Code is mandatory under Annex II of MARPOL for chemical tankers
constructed before 1 July, 1986.
.4 International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals
in Bulk - A certificate called an International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage
of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, the model form of which is set out in the appendix
to the International Bulk Chemical Code, issued after an initial or periodical survey
to a chemical tanker engaged in international voyages, which complies with the
relevant requirements of the Code.
Note: The Code is mandatory under both chapter VII of SOLAS 1974 and Annex
II of MARPOL for chemical tankers constructed on or after 1 July, 1986.
.5 Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk - A certificate
called a Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk, the model
form of which is set out in the appendix to the Gas Carrier Code,
issued after an initial or periodical survey to a gas carrier, which complies with
the relevant requirement of the Code.
.6 International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk
- A certificate called an International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of
Liquefied Gases in Bulk, the model form of which is set out in the appendix to the
International Gas Carrier Code, issued after an initial or periodical survey to a gas
carrier which complies with the relevant requirements of the Code.
Note: The Code is mandatory under chapter VII of SOLAS 1974 for gas carriers
constructed on or after1 July, 1986.
.7 Oil Record Book Part I & II (Annex I, Regulation 17 and 36) – Every oil tanker
of 150 gross tons and above and every ship of 400 gross tons and above other than
an oil tanker shall maintain an Oil Record Book Part I (Machinery Space
Operations). Every oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above shall, in addition to an
Oil Record Book Part I, maintain an Oil Record Book Part II (Cargo/Ballast
Operations). The Oil Record Books Parts I and II shall be kept in such a place as to
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 be readily available for inspection at all reasonable times by competent authority of
the Government of a Party to MARPOL while the ship is in its port or offshore
terminals and, except in the case of unmanned ships under tow, shall be kept on
board the ship. Oil Record Books shall be preserved for a period of three years
after the last entry has been made.

Administration Note:

There is no requirement that an existing Oil Record Book or copy thereof be

provided to a new manager or owner following a sale of the vessel or change in
vessel management or ownership. If agreed between the parties, a copy of the
existing Oil Record Book entries signed by the vessel’s Master as being a true copy
of the original may be provided to the new manager.

As a matter of due diligence, it is recommended that the new management company

should confirm the current quantities of oils (bunkers, lube oils, oil residue, etc.) on
board, in part to establish the record for the vessel’s new Oil Record Book.

Both the Oil Record Books Part I and Part II with instructions shall be officially
issued by the Administration or as an electronic record book (ERB) approved by
the Administration. To order the books, please complete the publications order
form using the link: Order Publications.

For ERBs approved by the Administration, please refer to List Of Approved

Electronic Record Books (ERBs)
.8 Cargo Record Book (Annex II Regulation 15) – Every NLS Tanker required to
comply with chapter 2 of part II-A of the Polar Code and Annex II shall maintain a
Cargo Record Book to record the operations specified therein. The Cargo Record
Book shall be kept in such a place as to be readily available for inspection and,
except in the case of unmanned ships under tow, shall be kept on board the ship. It
shall be retained for a period of three years after the last entry has been made. The
Cargo Record Book with instructions shall be officially issued by the
Administration or as an electronic record book (ERB) approved by the
Administration. To order the books, please complete the publications order form
using the link: Order Publications.

For ERBs approved by the Administration, please refer to List Of Approved

Electronic Record Books (ERBs).
.9 Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) (Annex I, Regulation 37) -
as per, are to be carried on the vessel at all times. The SOPEP is to be approved
either directly by this Administration or by a Recognized Organization on behalf of
this Administration. Refer to Marine Notice POL-003 for details.
.10 Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans (SMPEP) (Annex II,
Regulation 17) - as per, are to be carried on vessels certified to carry noxious liquid
substances at all times. The SMPEP is to be approved either directly by this
Administration or by a Recognized Organization on behalf of this Administration.
Refer to Marine Notice POL-003 for details.
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 .11 Ship to Ship Transfer (STS) Operations Plan – Each oil tanker of 150 GT and
above engaged in transfer of oil cargo between oil tankers at sea shall have on board
a STS Operations Plan approved either directly by this Administration or by a
Recognized Organization on behalf of this Administration. The Plan may form part
of the ship’s Safety Management System (SMS). Refer to Marine Notice POL-011
for details.
.12 Procedures and Arrangement Manual (Annex II) - Every ship certified for the
carriage of noxious liquid substances in bulk shall be provided with a Procedures
and Arrangement (P&A) Manual approved by a Recognized Organization on behalf
of this Administration.

.13 Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System (ODMCS) Operational Manual
- Each oil tanker of 150 GT and above shall have on board an ODMCS Operational
Manual approved either directly by this Administration or by a Recognized
Organization on behalf of this Administration. Refer to Marine Notice POL-015
for details.

2.2 Vessels should also have on board the following:

.1 Shipboard Oily Waste Pollution Prevention Plan – Each ship to which the ISM
Code applies should have on board a Shipboard Oily Waste Pollution Prevention
Plan for the machinery space to support the environmental objectives required by
the ISM Code. The Plan should contain measures in order to ensure proper oily
waste disposal in accordance with relevant flag State and port State regulations.
The measures could be directly incorporated in a shipboard oily waste pollution
prevention plan or in the Safety Management System (SMS). (Refer to
MEPC.1/Circ.759, for guidelines in developing such a plan).

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POL-001 12 of 12 Rev. 11/24

The Republic of Liberia