I:\CIRC\MEPC\01\680.doc

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION 4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT LONDON SE1 7SR Telephone: 020 7735 7611 Fax: 020 7587 3210

IMO

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Ref. T5/1.01

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON SYSTEMS AND OPERATION TO ASSIST DEVELOPMENT OF VOC MANAGEMENT PLANS

1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its fifty-ninth session (13 to 17 July 2009), approved the Guidelines for the Development of a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Management Plan for tankers carrying crude oil (resolution MEPC.185(59)). 2 In conjunction with consideration of the guidelines, MEPC 59 agreed that additional technical information on vapour pressure control systems and their operation would assist the industry in development of VOC management plans. Therefore, MEPC 59 agreed to the technical information on systems and operation to assist development of VOC management plans for tankers carrying crude oil, as set out in the annex to this document. 3 The technical information addresses the general equipment and systems involved, their operation and conditions on board a crude oil tanker with respect to the formation and emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) as well as the ability to control VOC formation andand emissions. 4 Member Governments are invited to bring this circular to the attention of their Administrations, relevant shipping organizations, recognized organizations, shipping companies and other stakeholders concerned and encourage them to take it into account when applying the Guidelines for the development of a VOC management plan for crude oil tankers.

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MEPC.1/Circ.680 27 July 2009