MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code have revisions that will be coming into effect on January 1, 2021.

U.S. flagged vessels on international voyages or that are maintaining international certificates in accordance with MARPOL Annex II or the IBC Code. These vessels must be in compliance with the new revisions before they can load NLS or IBC Chapter 17 Cargoes in 2021. All such vessels will need their Procedures & Arrangements (P&A) Manuals and Cargo Authority Attachments revised and approved as appropriate.

The Marine Safety Center (MSC) is ready to receive P&A Manual revisions from industry at this time, and anticipates being ready to review Cargo Authority Attachments for vessels trading internationally by November.

Vessel representatives should complete and submit an updated Tank Group Characteristics Loading Form (TGCLF) to the MSC using the submission guidance on the MSC site.

For more information, see MEPC.318(74), MSC.460(101) and MEPC.315(74).

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official publications, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These publications remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.