Panama issued guidance on the maintenance and keeping of the current Panama official Oil Record Book

The Panama Maritime Authority has issued a merchant marine circular about the maintenance and keeping of the current Panama official Oil Record Book.

The aim of this Marine Circular is to offer guidance to Panama-flagged vessel stakeholders, such as ship-owners, ship operators, Masters, and officers, on maintaining the Panama official Oil Record Book and Emissions in accordance with MARPOL 73/78 amendments (Revised Edition 2017 and subsequent editions).

This compliance is mandated by MARPOL Annex I and Annex VI. The Circular also includes amendments introduced through Resolution MEPC 187(59) since January 1, 2011, and Resolution MEPC 176(58) since July 1, 2010, and Resolution MEPC 271(69) since September 1, 2017, related to Ozone Depleting Substances, Low Sulphur Fuel Oil, Vapor Collection System (in tankers), Incinerators, and record requirements for NOx Tier III emission control areas.

The provisions of MARPOL Annex I and VI are applicable to all ships as specified in the Convention.

Oil Record Book and Emissions must be maintained on Panama-flagged vessels to ensure compliance with the recording requirements outlined in MARPOL Annex I and VI, including the information provided in this guideline.

Vessels with existing editions (2016) of the Oil Record Book and Emissions can continue using them until the supplies are exhausted, updating them as needed to align with the new regulations.

Entries in the Oil Record Book and Emissions are categorized based on vessel type and purpose:

• Machinery space operations should be recorded by oil tankers of 150 gross tons and above and other ships of 400 gross tons and above.
• Oil tankers of 150 gross tons and above should also record cargo and ballast operations.
• Oil tankers of less than 150 gross tons should make entries to control the discharge of oil.
• All ships of 400 gross tonnages and above should record Ozone Depleting Substances.
• The Oil Record Book and Emissions, named Oil Record Book and Emissions, contains three parts:
  • PART I - Machinery Space Operations (for all ships).
  • PART II - Cargo and Ballast Operations (for tankers).
  • PART III - Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (for all ships).

Additional guidance has been approved by the IMO, contained in circular MEPC1/Circ.736/Rev.2, for recording machinery space operations.

This guidance is intended to facilitate compliance with MARPOL Annex I requirements by providing advice and examples to crews.

This circular was issued on 1 September 2023.

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

Panama Oil Record Book and Emissions (Amendments and Guidelines)