The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2019

Retention of oil on board

31.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4), oil tankers of 150 GT and above must comply with the requirements of regulations 29, 31 and 32 of Annex I.

(2) Regulations 29, 31 and 32 of Annex I do not apply to any oil tanker referred to in paragraph (1) which is engaged exclusively on voyages of 72 hours or less in duration and within 50 nautical miles of the nearest land provided that—

(a) the oil tanker is engaged exclusively in trade between ports or terminals within the United Kingdom;

(b) all oily mixtures are retained on board the oil tanker for subsequent discharge into reception facilities; and

(c) the Secretary of State has determined that adequate facilities are available to receive such oily mixtures.

(3) Regulations 31 and 32 of Annex I do not apply to an oil tanker referred to in paragraph (1) which—

(a) is an oil tanker delivered on or before 1st June 1982 of 40,000 tonnes deadweight or above solely engaged in specified trades as described in regulation 2.5 of Annex I, provided the conditions specified in regulation 2.6 of that Annex are satisfied;

(b) is engaged exclusively on voyages—

(i) within special areas;

(ii) within Arctic waters; or

(iii) within 50 nautical miles from the nearest land outside special areas or Arctic waters and is engaged in—

(aa) trading between ports or terminals within the United Kingdom; or

(bb) restricted voyages of 72 hours or less in duration as determined by the Secretary of State.

(4) Tankers to which paragraph (3)(b)(iii) apply must comply with the following conditions—

(a) all oily mixtures must be retained on board for subsequent discharge to reception facilities;

(b) in the case of voyages referred to in paragraph (3)(b)(iii)(bb), the Secretary of State has determined that adequate reception facilities are available to receive such oily mixtures in the oil loading ports or terminals at which the tanker calls;

(c) the IOPP or UKOPP Certificate is endorsed to the effect that the ship is engaged exclusively on one or more of the categories of voyage described in paragraph (3)(b); and

(d) the quantity, time and port of discharge are recorded in the Oil Record Book.

(5) In the case of oil tankers of less than 150 GT—

(a) oil must be retained on board the ship with subsequent discharge of all contaminated washings to reception facilities; and

(b) the total quantity of oil and water used for washing and returned to a storage tank must be—

(i) recorded in the Oil Record Book Part II developed by the Secretary of State for tankers operating in accordance with regulation 34.6 of Annex I; and

(ii) discharged into reception facilities unless adequate arrangements are made to ensure that any effluent which is allowed to be discharged into the sea is effectively monitored to ensure that the provisions of regulation 34 of Annex I are complied with.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7) regulations 29, 31 and 32 of Annex I do not apply to oil tankers carrying asphalt or other products subject to the provisions of these Regulations and Annex I which, through their physical properties, inhibit effective product/water separation and monitoring.

(7) Where paragraph (6) applies oil residues must be retained on board with subsequent discharge of all contaminated washings to reception facilities in order to satisfy the requirements of regulation 34 of Annex I.

(8) In this regulation “nearest land” has the meaning given in regulation 1 of Annex I.