Atmospheric Emissions - Vapour Emissions from Crude Oil Offloading in Terminals and Harbours

• MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI - Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships Annex VI entered into force on 19 May 2005 and a revised Annex VI was adopted in October 2008 which entered into force on 1 July 2010.
• Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008
• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

These Regulations implement MARPOL Annex VI in the UK. Regulation 23 makes provision for control of VOC emissions from ships in ports and harbours. Regulation 23 will only apply to gas carriers when the type of loading and containment systems allow safe retention of non methane VOC on board or their safe return ashore.

Note: VOC emissions from cargo loading at onshore terminals are likely to be covered by the terminal's IPPC permit (see IPPC).

Revised Annex VI as implemented in the UK through the 2010 Regulations, introduces a new mandatory requirement for all crude oil tankers to have on board and implement a VOC Management Plan approved by the administration.

• EC Directive 2001/81/EC on National Emission Ceilings for Certain Atmospheric Pollutants

• National Emission Ceilings Regulations 2002

These Regulations set national ceilings and a requirement for the development of a reduction programme for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the UK. These Regulations apply to emissions from land, territorial sea and the UKCS.

At present, the UK government believes that it can meet targets through existing targets onshore. However, this does not preclude future targets for offshore operations. 

• EC Directive 2003/87/EC Establishing a Scheme for Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowance Trading

Offshore installations will come within the scope of the mandatory EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The mandatory EU ETS currently only includes carbon dioxide and does not currently apply to VOC emissions from cargo loading.

MSC/Circ 585 Standards for Vapour Emission Control Systems

MSN 1734 (M+F) Type Approval of Marine Equipment (EC Notified Bodies)

MSN 1735 (M+F) Type Approval of Marine Equipment (UK Nominated Bodies)

MSN 1819 (M+F) The Merchant Shipping Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008

MIN 395 - Revised Annex VI of MARPOL: Prevention of Air
Pollution from Ships (pdf file)

Harbour authorities and terminal operators within the UK who wish to control VOCs must apply to the SoS for written approval of that system.

With effect from 1st July 2010, crude oil tankers must have a VOC Management Plan in place, approved by the Administration.

See Venting for further information on consent requirements for offshore loading activities.

Application for approval of a VOC recovery system in harbours and terminals must include the following information:

• Size of tankers to be controlled;
• Cargoes require vapour emission control systems;
• Vapour emission control system to be employed;
• Operational practices to ensure that there is no undue delay to ships and the date the harbour or terminal would like the controls to start.

For crude oil tankers, VOC Management Plans must be submitted to the MCA for review and approval.

Application to be submitted at least 18 months before the date that the harbour or terminal has applied for the VOC to be regulated.

VOC Management Plans - must be in place before 1st July 2010 and will be reviewed thereafter during annual inspections.

Harbour authorities and terminal operators who operate a vapour emission control system within harbours or terminals must ensure that the system is approved by the SoS in accordance with MSC/Circ 585 Standards for Vapour Emission Control Systems.

The owner or master of any tanker which is subject to vapour emission control in a harbour or terminal within the UK that has been approved by the SoS must be fitted with an operational vapour collection system approved in accordance with MSC/Circ 585 Standards for Vapour Emission Control Systems.

The owner or master of any tanker which is subject to vapour emission control in a harbour or terminal that has been notified to the IMO under Regulation 15(2) of MARPOL Annex VI shall be provided with an operational vapour collection system approved in accordance with MSN 1734 (M+F) or MSN 1735 (M+F) as appropriate taking into account MSC/Circ 585 Standards for Vapour Emission Control Systems.

None known

N/a

Not applicable

Council Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community currently only covers power generation and flaring activities.

The EU Emissions Trading Directive covers the six greenhouse gasses that are included in the Kyoto Protocol. However, for the first phase of the EU ETS (January 2005 to December 2007 inclusive) the scheme will only cover CO2. The scheme may be expanded in future phases to the other greenhouse gases.

None at present.