Tanker Condition Assessment Scheme - Model Survey Plan

May 2002

Extract from IMO Briefing on the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 47th session: 

MEPC 47 approved a Model Survey Plan for tankers, intended to help in carrying out the Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) for certain tankers.

The MEPC Circular containing the Model Survey Plan also includes:

- a Guidance Note for the Safe Conduct of CAS surveys which has been developed for the safe conduct of CAS Surveys, including protection of individuals involved; and

- CAS Schedule giving a flow chart diagram and time scales for the CAS.

The CAS was adopted in April 2001 during the adoption of a revised regulation 13G of the MARPOL Convention Annex I on the prevention of pollution by oil from ships. The revised regulation is expected to enter into force in September 2002.

The Committee also agreed draft amendments to the CAS to make mandatory the Model Survey Plan and to adopt Mandatory Requirements for the Safe Conduct of CAS Surveys (based on the guidance referred to above). The amendments are intended to be adopted once the revised regulation 13G enters into force.

The CAS will have to be applied to certain Category 1 vessels continuing to trade after 2005 and certain Category 2 vessels after 2010.

Although the CAS does not specify structural standards in excess of the provisions of other IMO conventions, codes and recommendations, its requirements stipulate more stringent and transparent verification of the reported structural condition of the ship and that documentary and survey procedures have been properly carried out and completed.

The requirements of the CAS include enhanced and transparent verification of the reported structural condition of the ship and verification that the documentary and survey procedures have been properly carried out and completed. The Scheme requires that compliance with the CAS is assessed during the Enhanced Survey Programme of Inspections concurrent with intermediate or renewal surveys currently required by resolution A.744(18), as amended.

The revised regulation 13G sets a new accelerated phase-out schedule for single hull oil tankers.

It identifies three categories of tankers, as follows: "Category 1 oil tanker" means oil tankers of 20,000 tons deadweight and above carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo, and of 30,000 tons deadweight and above carrying other oils, which do not comply with the requirements for protectively located segregated ballast tanks (commonly known as Pre-MARPOL tankers). "Category 2 oil tanker" means oil tankers of 20,000 tons deadweight and above carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil as cargo, and of 30,000 tons deadweight and above carrying other oils, which do comply with the protectively located segregated ballast tank requirements (MARPOL tankers), while "Category 3 oil tanker" means an oil tanker of 5,000 tons deadweight and above but less than the tonnage specified for Category 1 and 2 tankers.

MEPC 47, 4 - 8 March 2002. IMO Briefing 15/2002 of 25 March 2002.