In order to improve ship standards, the International Group of P&I Clubs has said it will continue to conduct survey triggers for seagoing vessels of 10 years of age or more carrying heavy fuel oil cargoes.
As a result, all sea-going vessels that are 10 years old or more and have carried heavy fuel oil as cargo within the previous 12 months will be subject to condition survey, unless:
– The vessel has undergone a P&I club condition survey during the previous 12 months.
– The vessel has undergone a Special Survey during the previous 6 months.
– The vessel has a valid Condition Assessment Program (CAP) rating of 1 or 2 with a classification society having membership in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
Operators should have in mind that a declaration is now required so that the Club may decide if heavy fuel oil has been carried by an insured vessel as cargo during a policy period. Therefore, the first declaration must be made this year as soon as possible, but not later than April 30, 2018 for vessels carrying heavy fuel oil between 20 February 2017 and 20 February 2018.
If a ship continues to carry heavy fuel oil as cargo over a period of successive years, the Club is not obliged to carry out a survey every year. However, a survey will need to be held at least every three years after the first survey has taken place. It is at the Club’s discretion whether or not to conduct surveys on a more frequent basis.