Liberia: implementation of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex V

Liberia Maritime Authority has issued the revised marine notice on the implementation of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI, Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.

This marine notice was issued on 6 November 2023 and supersedes Marine Notice POL-009, dated 08/23.

The following changes have been included:

a. Updated sub-paragraph 4.2.1 to include revised Guidelines for survey and certification of EEDI.
b. Updated sub-paragraph 12.5.5(a) with amendment to MEPC Resolution 244(66).
c. Revised paragraph 14.3 to include bunker delivery note in electronic format.
d. Updated paragraph 15.10 to include amendment to MEPC Resolution 335(76).
e. Added new sub-paragraphs 15.10.5 and 15.10.9.
f. Revised sub-paragraphs 15.10.3 and 15.10.7.

Purpose

The purpose of this Marine Notice is to provide guidance on the implementation of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI, Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.

MARPOL Annex VI was ratified by Liberia on 27 August 2002. Annex VI entered into force and became effective on 19 May 2005.

The revised MARPOL Annex VI was adopted by the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO in October 2008 by Resolution MEPC.176(58) and entered into force on 1 July 2010.

The revised Annex VI has been further amended by MEPC Resolution 328(76), the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI, which enters into force on 1 November 2022.

Applicability

The 2021 Revised Annex VI applies to all ships, except where expressly provided otherwise in Regulations 3, 5, 6, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 of this Annex. As examples:

Under Regulation 13, the control of emissions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) only applies to each marine diesel engine of more than 130 kW installed on a ship; and each marine diesel engine of more than 130 kW that undergoes a major conversion on or after 1 January 2000;
Under Regulation 13, the control of emissions of NOx applies to a marine diesel engine of more than 5,000 kW and a per cylinder displacement at or above 90 L installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 January 1990 but prior to 1 January 2000, provided that an approved method for that engine has been certified by an Administration of a Party;
Under Regulation 3, the 2021 Revised Annex VI does not apply to any emission necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship or saving life at sea; or any emission resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment, after all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent or minimize the emission;
Under Regulation 3, emissions directly arising from the exploration, exploitation and associated offshore processing of sea-bed mineral resources are exempted from this Annex;
Under Regulation 3, UNSP barges are exempted from certification and related survey requirements provided the barges carry no oil; has neither persons nor living animals on board and no system, equipment and/or machinery is fitted that may generate emissions;
Under Regulation 5, the survey requirements for issuance of an IAPP Certificate apply to ships of 400 gross tons and above and every fixed and floating drilling rig and other platforms;
Under Regulation 5 and 19, the requirements for Energy Efficiency and survey requirements for issuance of an IEE Certificate apply to ships of 400 gross tons and above;
Under Regulation 15, the requirement to have on board and implement a VOC Management Plan is only applicable to oil tankers carrying crude oil;
Under Regulations 22 and 24, the calculation of Attained and Required EEDI applies to new ships; and new and existing ships which have undergone a major conversion which is so extensive, that the ship is regarded by the Administration as a newly constructed ship.
Under Regulations 23 and 25, the calculation of Attained and Required EEXI applies to each ship; and each ship which has undergone a major conversion, which falls into one of the categories in Regulations 2.2.5, 2.2.7, 2.2.9, 2.2.11, 2.2.14 to 2.2.16, 2.2.22, and 2.2.26 to 2.2.29 and to which chapter IV of MARPOL Annex VI is applicable.
Under Regulations 22, 23, 24 and 25, the calculation of Attained and Required EEDI and EEXI does not apply to ships which have non-conventional propulsion, except that regulations 22 and 24 shall apply to cruise passenger ships having non-conventional propulsion and LNG carriers having conventional or non-conventional propulsion, delivered after 1 September 2019 and Regulations 23 and 25 shall apply to cruise passenger ships having non-conventional propulsion and LNG carriers having conventional or non-conventional propulsion.
Regulations 22, 23, 24, 25 and 28 do not apply to category A ships as defined in the Polar Code.
Under Regulations 26.2 and 27, SEEMP Part I and collection and reporting of ship fuel oil consumption data applies to ships 5,000 gross tonnage and above.
Under Regulations 26.3.1 and 28, the Operational Carbon Intensity Plan (SEEMP Part III) and attained annual operational CII applies to ships 5,000 gross tonnage and above and which fall into one or more categories in Regulations 2.2.5, 2.2.7, 2.2.9, 2.2.11, 2.2.14 to 2.2.16, 2.2.22, and 2.2.26 to 2.2.29.
Under Regulation 19, Chapter 4 of the 2021 Revised Annex VI does not apply to ships not propelled by mechanical means, and platforms including FPSOs and FSUs and drilling rigs, regardless of their propulsion.
Under Regulation 19.2, taking into account recommendation in MEPC.1/Circ.863, a ship 400 gross tons and above which is not normally engaged on international voyages but which, in exceptional circumstances, is required to undertake a single international voyage, may be exempted by the Administration from any of the requirements in chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI.

Ships are defined in Article 2 of MARPOL as a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the marine environment and includes hydrofoil boats, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft and fixed or floating platforms.

Each diesel engine which is required to comply with Regulation 13 (Nitrogen Oxides) of the 2021 Revised Annex VI must be issued an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) Certificate and a NOx Technical File.

Each ship which is required to comply with chapter 4 (Energy Efficiency) of the 2021 Revised Annex VI must be issued with an IEE Certificate and, for new ships, an EEDI Technical File.

Each ship which is required to calculate its attained EEXI shall carry on board an EEXI Technical file that contains the information necessary for the calculation of the attained EEXI and that shows the process of the calculation.

Annex VI applies to any type of fuel used on board, including gas, heavy fuel oil, diesel oil and gas oil for main and auxiliary engines, boilers, diesel engines, and gas turbines.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):