Marine Advisory: 22/2022 - Unmanned Non-Self-Propelled (UNSP) Barges – Exemption from Certain Survey and Certification Requirements under the MARPOL Convention

02 September 2022

Marine Advisory: 22/2022

Subject: Unmanned Non-Self-Propelled (UNSP) Barges – Exemption from Certain Survey and Certification Requirements under the MARPOL Convention

Dear Vessel Owners/Operators/Masters and Recognized Organizations:

Purpose

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to inform you of the Liberian Administration’s policy regarding the exemption of unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) barges from certain survey and certification requirements of MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI.

Background

IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its seventy-sixth session, held from 10 to 17 June 2021, adopted amendments to MARPOL Annexes I and IV, and amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, concerning the exemption of unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) barges from Surveys and Certification requirements, by resolutions MEPC.330(76) and MEPC.328(76), respectively.

Unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) barge means a barge that (i) is not propelled by mechanical means;(ii) carries no oil; (iii) has neither persons nor living animals on board; and:

1. to be exempt from Annex I, has no machinery fitted that may use oil or generate oil residue(sludge) and has no oil fuel tank, lubricating oil tank, oily bilge water holding tank and oil residue (sludge) tank;
2. to be exempt from Annex IV, is not used for holding sewage during transport; and has noarrangements that could produce sewage;
3. to be exempt from Annex VI, has no system, equipment and/or machinery fitted that maygenerate emissions regulated by this Annex.

Procedures for granting exemptions and issuing Exemption certificates

Vessel Owners/Operators should apply to the vessel’s Class Society acting on its behalf, with relevant information on the exemption conditions for UNSP barges and relevant drawings (General Arrangement Plan, Capacity Plan and any other plans or documents, as necessary). The vessel’s Class Society will review the relevant information to confirm that the requirements for the exemptions are met.

After a satisfactory review, a survey of the UNSP barge should be carried out to confirm the actual arrangements on board comply with the exemption conditions. Based on satisfactory results of the survey, 5-month interim exemption certificates for the UNSP barge from Surveys and Certification requirements under MARPOL Annexes I, IV and/or VI may be issued.

The vessel’s Class Society should then send copies of the 5-month interim Exemption certificates to this Administration at regsandstandards@liscr.com, for issuance of the full term Exemption certificates.

For any questions regarding this Marine Advisory, please contact this Administration’s at email: regsandstandards@liscr.com or via telephone number +1 703 790 3434.

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