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 Association's condition survey already complies with the minimum scope of information and the Association 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 Association 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.

The Members will be asked to make a declaration at the February 2006 renewal as to which tankers aged 10 years or more in their fleet carried HFO as cargo during the previous 12 months, i.e. between 20 February 2005 and 20 February 2006. A similar declaration will be requested annually. We would be grateful if Members could make a declaration using the attached declaration form as early as possible in the new policy year.

If a vessel continues to carry HFO as cargo over a period of successive years, the Association 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 Association'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 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.