Question & AnswerQ&A (PHTBP MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 09-2001)
It applies to all Philippine registered vessels engaged in international or domestic trade.
An Oil Tanker is a ship constructed or adapted primarily to carry oil in bulk in its cargo spaces, including combination carriers or chemical tankers carrying noxious liquid substances or oil in bulk.
They must have oily water separator equipment producing effluent not exceeding 15 ppm of oil, tanks of adequate capacity to hold oily residues, and an Oil Record Book (ORB).
They must have an oil discharge monitoring and control system, oily water separating equipment, tanks for oily residues, and an Oil Record Book.
They must have a holding tank with adequate capacity to retain oil bilge water on board for subsequent discharge to reception facilities.
They must be equipped with an oil discharge monitoring and control system, in addition to oily water separating equipment approved by the Philippine Coast Guard.
A segregated ballast tank is a tank completely separated from cargo oil and oil fuel systems, permanently allocated to the carriage of ballast or cargoes other than oil or noxious substances.
The certificate is valid for 5 years and may be extended for not more than 3 months if the vessel is not in a Philippine port at expiration, solely to complete its voyage back to port for survey.
An administrative fine of P10,000 per violation and potential cancellation of the IOPP/OPP Certificate.
Shipowners must submit written application to the Commander of Marine Environmental Protection Command (CMEPCOM), have an initial survey by the Coast Guard before the ship is put in service, and undergo periodical surveys every two years.
Waivers may be granted if the vessel operates on regular voyages within specific areas, voyage length does not exceed 72 hours or 50 miles from land, has adequate holding tanks, uses adequate reception facilities determined by PCG, and logs discharges in the Oil Record Book.
A New Ship is one with a building contract, keel laying, delivery, or major conversion after specified dates related to 1995 and 1999. An Existing Ship is any ship that is not a New Ship.
They must be provided with segregated ballast tanks of adequate capacity and use crude oil washing for cargo tank cleaning.
No significant changes or alterations shall be made without written authority from the Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard; otherwise, the certificate may cease to be valid.