Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (PCSOPEP) requirements
11 June 2004 No.500
We refer toJapan P&I News No.489of 18 November 2003 and our circular entitled"ECM&Japan P&I Club Joint Presentation"dated 20 November 2003.
In August 2003 the Panama Canal Authority(ACP)published the PCSOPEP requirements for the purpose of protecting public health and environment from any oil spill occurring in Panama Canal waters. Thereafter the ACP received a number of comments from the interested parties and the implementation of PCSOPEP had been postponed until necessary amendments thereto were completed.
On 4 June 2004, the ACP issued an Advisory announcing that the PCSOPEP requirements will come into effect on 1 January 2005 with the amendments to the Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) and the Qualified Individual (QI). We summarize the main changes below.
The International P&I Group are looking at the documents how the requirements will impactupon the Members. We will keep you informed of further developments.
In August 2003 the Panama Canal Authority(ACP)published the PCSOPEP requirements for the purpose of protecting public health and environment from any oil spill occurring in Panama Canal waters. Thereafter the ACP received a number of comments from the interested parties and the implementation of PCSOPEP had been postponed until necessary amendments thereto were completed.
On 4 June 2004, the ACP issued an Advisory announcing that the PCSOPEP requirements will come into effect on 1 January 2005 with the amendments to the Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) and the Qualified Individual (QI). We summarize the main changes below.
| 1) | The ACP will act as the sole OSRO to provide emergency response to oil spills inPanama Canal waters. | |
| 2) | The transiting vessels will be required to identify a QI, which is now referred to as an Authorized Person. The Authorized Person shall be domiciled in the Republic of Panama and act as a liaison between the vessel and the ACP. This individual shall be empowered to obtain and consign guarantees to the satisfaction of the ACP for the costs of the response and cleanup of oil spills. | |
| 3) | The ACP will charge a fee to transiting vessels with a carrying capacity of 400 metric tons or more of oil as cargo and/or fuel. This fee will depend on the vessel’s tier classification and hull construction but not yet be established. | |
The International P&I Group are looking at the documents how the requirements will impactupon the Members. We will keep you informed of further developments.