MARPOL Regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

             This Regulation comes under MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 3 - Requirements for Control of Emissions from Ships, Regulation 15.

1. If the emissions of VOCs from a tanker are to be regulated in a port or ports or a terminal or terminals under the jurisdiction of a Party, they shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.
2. A Party regulating tankers for VOC emissions shall submit a notification to the Organization.
1. The notification shall be submitted at least six months before the effective date.
2. This notification shall include:
1. Information on the size of tankers to be controlled.
2. Information on the cargoes requiring vapour emission control systems.
3. Information on the effective date of such control. 
3. A Party that designates ports or terminals at which VOC emissions from tankers are to be regulated shall ensure that vapour emission control systems, approved by that Party taking into account the safety standards for such systems developed by the organization, are provided in any designated port and terminal and are operated safely and in a manner so as to avoid undue delay to a ship.
4. The Organization shall circulate a list of ports and terminals designated by Parties to other Parties and the Member States of the Organization for their information.
5. A tanker to which the regulation applies shall be provided with a Vapour Emission Collection System approved by the Administration taking into account the safety standards for such systems developed by the organization and shall use this system during loading of relevant cargoes.
6. A port or terminal that has installed Vapour Emission Collection Systems in accordance with this regulation may accept tankers that are not fitted with Vapour Collection Systems for a period of three years after the effective date identified in this regulation.
7. A tanker carrying crude oil shall have on board and implement a VOC management plan approved by the Administration. Such a plan shall be prepared to take into account the guidelines developed by the Organization. The plan shall be specific to each ship and shall at least:
1. Provide written procedures for minimizing VOC emissions during the loading, sea passage and discharge of cargo.
2. Give consideration to the additional VOC generated by crude oil washing.
3. Identify a person responsible for implementing the plan.
4. For ships on international voyages, be written in the working language of the Master and Officers, if the working language of the Master and Officers is not English, French or Spanish, include a translation into one of these languages.
8. This regulation shall also apply to Gas Carriers only if the types of loading and containment systems allow safe retention of non-methane VOCs on board or their safe return ashore.   

Reference: IMO Publications & Documents - International Conventions - MARPOL - Annex VI