OIL COMPANIES INTERNATIONAL MARINE FORUM

AN EXTENDED SCOPE FOR THE

ENHANCED SURVEY PROGRAMME
(ESP)

August 1999

The OCIMF mission is to be recognised internationally as the foremost authority

on the safe and environmentally responsible operation of oil tankers and terminals.

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is a voluntary association of oil companies having an interest
in the shipment and terminalling of crude oil and oil products. OCIMF is organised to represent its membership before,
and consult with, the International Maritime Organization and other government bodies on matters relating to the
shipment and terminalling of crude oil and oil products, including marine pollution and safety.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION CONTENTS PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

2.0 STRUCTURAL EXAMINATION 2

2.1 Engine Room Structure 2

2.2 Pitting Corrosion 2
2.3 Coatings and Anodes 2
2.4 Presentation of Thickness Measurements 3

3.0 HIGH RISK PIPING ON DECK 4

4.0 MACHINERY VERIFICATION RUNS 5

ANNEXES Table 1
Figure 1

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), which has

consultative status within the International Maritime Organization
(IMO), played a significant role in supporting the development of the
IMO Resolution A744 (18) “Enhanced Programme of Inspections
during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers” (ESP) referred to in
MARPOL Regulation 13G. This enhanced survey requirement has
undoubtedly improved the safety performance of those ships which
have now been subjected to more rigorous inspection.

However, whilst ESP adequately addresses the critical structural areas

of the ship, the failure of critical systems can also lead to significant
incidents relating to safety of life or oil pollution. Recognising the
potentially serious impact of such marine incidents, the IMO and the
International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and the
marine industry in general, have over the years developed legislation
and guidance aimed at ensuring safe ship operation and protection of
the environment. Tanker owners generally operate with strict
maintenance and inspection policies, and within the unified controls
imposed by the IMO, their Flag States and the Classification Societies.
However OCIMF considers it timely that the industry as a whole
reassesses the extent to which the enhanced survey requirements of
MARPOL continue to meet the needs of the industry and of those other
parties which are similarly concerned with the safety of transportation
of oil by sea.

To this end OCIMF has, since the introduction of ESP, continued to

maintain a regular dialogue with the Classification Societies through
the auspices of IACS, and has fully supported the development of a
more rigorous and effective scope for Classification Society unified
inspection requirements and ultimately, it is hoped, the enhanced
survey requirements of MARPOL.

The primary objective of this paper is to identify specific measures

which OCIMF believes, if implemented now as a voluntary constituent
part of the ESP, would consistently and uniformly improve safety of life
and prevention of pollution aboard tankers which might present a
higher risk because of their age. It will formalise measures which are
already being implemented by many owners on a voluntary basis and
will contribute to the elimination of the need for a multiple inspection
regime. Means of encouraging or ensuring implementation of the
various improvement measures have not been specifically identified
although some recommendations have been made.
2.0 STRUCTURAL EXAMINATION

2.1 Engine Room Structure

ESP effectively covers the vessel’s structural condition forward of the

accommodation block and within the aft peak tank. However, Engine
Room (E/R) structure is not specifically included within the ESP remit,
but is nevertheless important, particularly below the bottom floor plates
where corrosion can continue unnoticed. In order to address this
shortcoming, OCIMF recommends that an examination of E/R structure
be carried out in conjunction with Special and Intermediate Surveys.
This examination should include tank tops, shell plating in way of tank
tops, brackets connecting side shell frames and tank tops, and engine
room bulkheads in way of tank top, bilge wells and other areas below
the bottom floor plates. Thickness measurements may also be
required if areas of corrosion are found. OCIMF understands that
IACS is presently considering inclusion of this aspect in its Unified
Requirements related to ESP.

2.2 Pitting Corrosion

Presently, ESP has no requirement for recording pitting corrosion in

tank bottoms despite the potential source of hole leaks which it
represents. OCIMF recommends that pitting corrosion is specifically
examined and reported as part of the Enhanced Survey. The Survey
Report File should include records of any bottom plating with a pitting
intensity of 20% or more with wastage in the substantial corrosion
range, or where the average depth of pitting is 1/3 or more of the plate
thickness. OCIMF understands that IACS is presently considering
inclusion of this aspect in its Unified Requirements related to ESP. For
pitting assessment, reference should be made to the “GUIDANCE
MANUAL FOR TANKER STRUCTURES “ issued by Tanker Structure
Cooperative Forum.

2.3 Coatings and Anodes

Recognising the importance of structural integrity within ballast or

combined cargo / ballast tanks, and understanding the benefits of
reduced corrosion levels when anode protection is utilised, OCIMF
recommends that, where a coating has not been applied or where a
coating is found in Fair or Poor condition as defined in IMO resolution
A744 (18), the overall anode condition should also be recorded as a
function of the close-up survey.

An estimate of the overall anode wastage as a percentage of the

original weight should be recorded in the Tank Corrosion Prevention
System Table in the Survey Report File.

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2.4 Presentation of Thickness Measurements

Thickness measurements taken for the ESP are usually reported in a

substantial book which contains the data in the format mandated by
the IMO. The data is voluminous and, as currently presented, requires
a significant amount of expert analysis for an assessment of the
condition of the ship’s hull to be made. OCIMF believes that there is a
need for a simplified presentation which will enable the user to obtain
an overview of the hull condition.
OCIMF therefore recommends that owners include a graphical
presentation of the readings as an attachment to the reports on
thickness measurement. Most gauging contractors already record the
readings on a spreadsheet which makes it relatively easy to produce
some type of graphical analysis. It has been found that a cumulative
plot of the percentage number of readings against the percentage
diminution from the original thickness gives a simple and effective
presentation which can be used to fit that purpose. Examples of a
gauging table with sample data entered and of the corresponding
graphical presentation of thickness measurements are shown in
Table 1 and Figure 1 respectively.

The horizontal axis of the plot represents the percentage diminution of

any reading below its original thickness and the vertical axis represents
the number of readings which are less than that diminution, expressed
as a percentage of the number of readings taken.

It is recommended that separate plots be provided for:

• Bottom and Side Shell Plating

• Deck Plating
• Transverse webs
• Transverse and Longitudinal Bulkhead Plating.
• Other Longitudinal Elements
• Peak Tanks
• and one for all the readings combined.

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3.0 HIGH RISK PIPING ON DECK

Failure of oil piping, including all associated valves, located on the

cargo deck of a ship exposes the operator to a significant risk of
pollution should the pipe accidentally fracture and spill its contents onto
the deck. OCIMF recommends that all such deck piping is visually
examined and operationally tested to at least working pressure at least
once per year. The results should be recorded and held aboard the
ship.

It is envisaged that such piping and associated valves will include, but
not necessarily be limited to, that associated with the following
systems:

• Cargo piping
• Crude oil washing piping
• Hydraulic mains
• Fuel oil and lubricating oil bunker piping

Wherever possible, and to reduce the testing time, it is recommended

that testing be carried out on the complete system rather than on
individual isolated components. This testing should be carried out in
conjunction with Class periodical surveys and the attending surveyor
requested to witness and verify the outcome.

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4.0 MACHINERY VERIFICATION RUNS

The risk of machinery failure is significantly higher immediately

following an extensive repair or lengthy vessel deactivation period.
This can be particularly relevant to the safe and reliable operation of
the ship if the repair facility is nearby the first loading port to which the
ship is ordered.

To reduce the risk of machinery failures at this critical time, OCIMF

recommends that if significant maintenance or repair is carried out on
the main propulsion machinery and / or the steering gear system and /
or any auxiliary machinery / systems essential to the propulsion and
safety of the ship, then on conclusion of the repair period the operation
of the complete machinery system should be verified under controlled
conditions by a test run which includes at least 1 hour at full power.

OCIMF further recommends that should the vessel be required to be

deactivated for a period exceeding 2 weeks then upon reactivation the
operation of the complete machinery system should be verified under
controlled conditions by a test run which includes at least 1 hour at full
power.

In each case this testing should be carried out in the presence of Class
and the surveyor requested to witness and verify the outcome.

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