Published 18 January 2006
Special Circular No. 2/2005 January 2006
TO HFO TANKER MEMBER OFASSURANCEFORENINGEN GARD - gjensidig
Dear Sirs
HFO Club survey programme
Members will be aware that the International Group of P&I clubs has been discussing a number of initiatives which are intended to contribute to the general drive within the marine industry to eliminate sub-standard shipping.
One of the initiatives relates to a minimum scope of information that is included in any club condition survey and the agreement amongst the clubs of common survey triggers. The Gard Club’s condition survey already complies with the minimum scope of information and the Club has also operated for many years most of the survey triggers which have now been agreed. However, there is one new survey trigger that needs to be introduced. The Group has agreed that all tankers aged 10 years or more which have carried heavy fuel oil (HFO) as cargo in the previous 12 months should be surveyed as soon as is practicable, unless:
- the vessel has undergone a Club condition survey during the previous 12 months; or
the vessel has undergone a class Special Survey during the previous 6 months; or
the vessel has a current CAP 1 or CAP 2 rating issued by an IACS Classification Society.
This requirement is common for all International Group members.
The Club would be grateful if you could complete copies of the attached form ( pdf / Word) after 20 February 2006 in respect of each of your vessels aged 10 years or more which has carried HFO as cargo during the previous 12 months, i.e. 20 February 2005 to 19 February 2006.
If a vessel continues to carry HFO as cargo over a period of successive years, the Club is not obliged to carry out a survey every year but a survey will need to be held at least every 3 years after the first survey has taken place. It is at the Club’s discretion whether or not to undertake surveys on a more frequent basis.
The definition of HFO to be used for the purpose of this annual declaration is as follows:
‘A residual fuel with a kinematic viscosity of 380 centipoise when measured at 50 degrees Celsius by Test Method ISO 3104.’
This definition is intended to exclude Intermediate Fuel Oils or Heavy Crudes, as well as bitumen or tar.
The declaration will need to cover all seagoing ships.
If you have questions relating to the new requirements you are welcome to contact:
Harald Fotland, Vice President Loss Prevention & Risk Assessment
e-mail: harald.fotland@gard.no
Stuart Ross, Senior Marine Surveyor
e-mail: stuart.ross@gard.no
Bjarne Augestad, Marine Surveyor
e-mail: bjarne.augestad@gard.no
Yours faithfully, GARD AS As agent only for Assuranceforeningen Gard – gjensidig
Claes Isacson Chief Executive Officer
Gard is a member of
