1
MARPOL Annex I contains
certain regulations and unified interpretations related to equipment
for the storage, handling and disposal of oily residues (sludge) and
engine-room oily bilge water.
2 In order to facilitate the work of Administrations
on systems for handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships,
the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has continuously
reviewed the available technologies for fulfilment of the Convention
requirements.
3 The Revised Guidelines for systems for handling
oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships incorporating guidance notes
for an integrated bilge water system (IBTS) appended to MEPC.1/Circ.511 were adopted by MEPC 54
as guidance for Administrations, shipowners and shipbuilders for consideration
in achieving an efficient and effective system for the handling of
oily bilge water and oily residues for ships taking into account the
entry into force of the revised MARPOL Annex
I on 1 January 2007.
4 Recognizing that the entry into force of MARPOL Annex VI, including its provisions
for shipboard incineration of sludge oil generated during the normal
operation of a ship, has called for a further revision of the Guidelines,
as contained in MEPC.1/Circ.511, the
Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its fifty-eighth session
(6 to 10 October 2008), approved the 2008 Revised Guidelines for systems
for handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships incorporating
Guidance notes for an integrated bilge water treatment system (IBTS)
(MEPC 58/23, paragraph 10.45). The 2008 Revised Guidelines, set out
in the annex, supersede and replace the Revised Guidelines appended
to MEPC.1/Circ.511.
5 To ensure compliance with the provisions on
oil residue (sludge) collection and disposal of MARPOL
Annex I, the process of regeneration of fuel oil from oil residue
(sludge) has been defined and included in the Guidance notes for an
integrated bilge water system (IBTS) appended to the Guidelines.
6 A recommendation regarding internal drain tanks
for oily residue (sludge) and other oily residues, which can only
be discharged to the vessel's oily residue (sludge) tanks has been
included in order to simplify the required records in the Oil Record
Book.
7 Member Governments are invited to apply the
revised Guidelines and to bring them to the attention of interested
parties, including recognized organizations.