Definitions
- Administration: Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
- Ship: Any floating craft capable of water transportation, self-propelled or otherwise.
- Double Bottom: Watertight spaces between outer bottom plating and tank top, subdivided into compartments for ballast, fuel, or water.
- Double Hull Ships: Ships with wing tanks spanning full shipside depth and double bottom tanks, where cargo tanks lie inboard of side shell plating.
- Oil Tanker: Ships primarily constructed or adapted to carry oil in bulk; includes combination carriers, NLS tankers, and gas carriers carrying oil cargo.
- Heavy Grade Oil: Oils with density >900 kg/m3 or high viscosity, including bitumen and tar.
- MARPOL 73/78: International convention for prevention of pollution from ships, as amended.
- Resolution MEPC.117(52): Amendments to MARPOL Annex I, effective January 2007.
- Regulation 19: Applies to new oil tankers ≥600 dwt delivered after July 6, 1996.
- Regulation 20: Double hull and double bottom requirements for oil tankers delivered before July 6, 1996.
- Regulation 21: Oil pollution prevention for tankers carrying heavy grade oil ≥600 dwt.
- Single Bottom & Single Hull: Defined as vessels lacking double bottom or wing tanks.
Coverage
- Category 1: Oil tankers ≥20,000 dwt carrying crude, fuel oil, heavy diesel, or lubricating oil; and ≥30,000 dwt for other oils.
- Category 2: Oil tankers ≥5,000 dwt but less than Category 1 thresholds carrying specified oils.
- Category 3: Oil tankers <5,000 dwt carrying crude, fuel oil, heavy diesel, or lubricating oil.
Policy Guidelines
- All oil tankers, including those <600 dwt, must have double hulls by April 2008.
- MARPOL 73/78 regulations 19, 20, and 21 apply but if inconsistent, this circular prevails.
- Category 1 & 2 tankers must have:
- Double bottom tanks/spaces providing at least 1-meter distance between cargo tank bottom and shell plating.
- Wing tanks extending full depth of ship’s side or top of double bottom to uppermost deck, minimum 1-meter width.
- Category 3 tankers must have:
- Double bottom tanks/spaces with at least 0.76-meter distance.
- Wing tanks at least 0.76-meter wide.
- Tankers carrying heavy grade oil must comply with double hull and space requirements respective to their category.
Sanctions and Penalties
- Non-compliance leads to immediate suspension of Safety Certificates for 60 days pending hearing.
- Willful violations result in delisting from Philippine registry and revocation of operation authority.
- Continued operation without compliance incurs a daily penalty of Php 50,000.
- Penalties are without prejudice to claims/liabilities if maritime incidents occur.
Repealing Clause
- Any conflicting MARINA circulars, orders, or regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Circular becomes effective 15 days after national newspaper publication.
Authority
- Issued by MARINA Administrator Vicente T. Suazo, Jr. on September 18, 2006.