Oil Fuel Tank Protection

MEPC 54 adopted a new regulation (12A of the revised text) on oil fuel tank protection, intended to apply to all ships delivered on or after 1 August 2010 with an aggregate oil fuel capacity of 600m³ and above.

It includes requirements for the protected location of fuel tanks and performance standards for accidental oil fuel outflow. A maximum capacity limit of 2,500m³ per oil fuel tank is included in the regulation, which also requires Administrations to consider general safety aspects, including the need for maintenance and inspection of wing and double-bottom tanks or spaces, when approving the design and construction of ships in accordance with the regulation.