Oily discharge

Monitoring of regulations

Vessels using an Oily Water Separator (OWS) on board:

Implementation of 6 of the following 10 best practices on all company vessels:

2.1 Give staff proper training on bilge water management.

2.2 Monitor compliance of the oily water discharge by:

a) Conduct annual calibration of the oil content meter; orb) Sample treated water monthly and have it analyzed by an accredited lab; or
c) Use a secondary monitoring unit (e.g., white box).

2.3 Periodically test oil content alarm prior to operating the oily water separator.

2.4 Use seals or locks on all overboard discharge valves.

2.5 Post signs in the vicinity to clearly indicate who is responsible for opening any of the OWS overboard discharge valves, for operating oily water separation equipment and for oil transfer procedures.

2.6 Lock out or seal the oil content meter so that the calibration cannot be tampered with.

2.7 Maintain proper coordination with the navigation bridge when opening the overboard discharge valve so the bridge can also record the activity and the vessel's position.

2.8 When feasible, only operate the oily water separator during the daytime.

2.9 Regularly clean the applicable bilges and remove any solid material that may reduce the performance of the OWS.

2.10 Reduce as much as possible the use of emulsifying cleaners and agents that can degrade the performance of the OWS.

Vessels NOT using Oily Water Separator (OWS) on board
(even if installed):

Implementation of the majority of applicable best practices on all company’s vessels:

2.11 Regularly inspect and perform preventative maintenance of equipment using oil (e.g., engines, burners, pumps, pipes, heaters, filters) or water (e.g., condensers, boilers, pumps, pipes) to prevent leaks.

2.12 Regularly assess condition and maintain stern tube seals and bearings to prevent water from entering.

2.13 Stop leaks of oil or water in the engine room as soon as possible.

2.14 Clean up oil and water spills as soon as possible after maintenance and repair operations.

2.15 Maintain clean, dry bilges.

2.16 Post signs in the vicinity to clearly indicate who is responsible for bilge water transfer procedures.

2.17 Give staff proper training on bilge water management.

2.18 Keep available on board oil absorption pads to intervene in case of minor oil spills.

3.1 Adopt an Oily Water Management plan that formally incorporates all the best practices itemized in level 2.

Note: See Annex 4-A.

3.2 Complete an annual inventory of bilge water (produced, treated, discharged to sea, and off-loaded to shore, as applicable) and of oil residue (sludge) on a vessel-by-vessel basis and for the fleet as a whole.

Note: See Annex 4-B.

3.3 Develop and adhere to environmental procurement guideline for cleaning products to be used within the engine room, considering third party certifications* and product content** and packaging (see Waste Management performance indicator).

*Such as USDA BioPreferred and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

**Chlorine, phosphate free, readily biodegradable, minimally toxic, etc.

Vessels using an Oily Water Separator (OWS) on board:

4.1 Adopt a modernization program for oily water separators and all related control and verification equipment. Systematic application of this policy on all new buildings and all ships undergoing major modifications.

Note: See Annex 4-C.

For the majority of New Builds:

4.2 Implement an integrated bilge treatment system such as that defined in the IMO's revised guidelines (MEPC.1/Circ.642, 12 November 2008).

OR

On at least one existing vessel:

4.3 Demonstrate an integrated bilge treatment system approach by respecting the requirements defined in Annex 4-D.

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Vessels NOT using Oily Water Separator (OWS) on board (even if installed):

4.4 Set reduction or maximum targets (for the fleet as a whole or by vessel category) for bilge water produced.

4.5 Implement effective measures to reduce the quantity of bilge water and sludge produced on 50 % of the company's vessels (e.g., separate drainage systems for water and oil drains, installation of drip trays or coamings under equipment, use less water for maintenance and cleaning, replacement and repair of stern tube seals)

5.1 On all new build vessels fitted with conventional horizontal stern tubes, eliminate the oil-to-water interface by use of seawater lubricated bearings or an alternative sealing arrangement. For non-conventional propulsion arrangements, demonstrate best efforts to utilize technologies as they advance to eliminate or reduce the impact of an oil-to-water interface.

Vessels using an Oily Water Separator (OWS) on board:

5.2 Do not discharge treated bilge water in sensitive areas.

Note: In addition to where already prohibited, such as in the Arctic by the IMO Polar Code and in areas specified by Appendix G of the US EPA Vessel General Permit; sensitive areas are to include Canadian federal, territorial, or provincial Marine Protected Areas and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). See the ‘Treated bilge water discharge in sensitive areas' document in the Members section of the Green Marine website.

For all New Builds:

5.3 Implement an integrated bilge treatment system such as that defined in the IMO's revised guidelines (MEPC.1/Circ.642, 12 November 2008).

OR

On the majority of the company’s existing vessels:

5.4 Demonstrate an integrated bilge treatment system approach by respecting the requirements defined in Annex 4-D.

Vessels NOT using Oily Water Separator (OWS) on board (even if installed):

5.5 Implement effective measures to reduce the quantity of bilge water and sludge produced on 75 % of the company's vessels.

5.6 Demonstrate an annual reduction or negligible amount in the quantity of bilge water and/or sludge produced (intensity unit is to be determined by the company, e.g., tonnes/hour of operation).