351 - 03/04 - New Regulations Concerning Tanker Operations - Romania

We have been advised that the Romanian Ministry of Transport, Buildings and Tourism issued an order that becomes effective on 27th February 2004. Order 276/2004 covers the acceptance of petroleum, chemical and LPG tankers at Romanian terminals and the monitoring of the safety of tanker operations by the Romanian Naval Authority - RNA - which is the result of the merger between the former Inspectoratul Navigatiei Civile and the Romanian Register of Shipping.The provisions of the subject order are:

RNA has statutory authority to maintain a safety officer designated by RNA onboard tankers, throughout their operation in Romanian terminals, at a fee of Euro 30 per hour/person. In addition to this fee an inspection fee of Euro 850 will be charged for the issuance of a "Tanker Acceptance Permit". Without this tankers are not allowed to operate.
RNA personnel or RNA endorsed companies are granted the statutory authority to issue gas free certificates and hot-work permits. Therefore it is assumed that even persons listed as court experts cannot be commissioned for gas free surveys unless the RNA authorizes them.

The provision regarding the issuance of gas free certificate and hot work permits could have a significant cost impact as it is expected that the RNA will charge a fee of Euro 50 per each and every inspected volume of 1,000 cbm, and possibly for every additional inspection in the same compartment if the compartment is not found gas free initially. The order states that the surveys should be conducted on basis of following guidelines:

International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers & Terminals
Inspection Guidelines for Bulk Oil Carriers, Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk and Chemical Tankers
Tanker Safety Guide (Liquefied Gas)
Prevention of Oil Spillage Through Cargo Pumproom Sea Valves
Safety Guide for Terminal Handling Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk.
Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
Safety in Oil Tankers
Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
Safety in Chemical Tankers

This order would suggest that aforesaid list is not exhaustive and it further refers to guides issued by ICS and OCIMF, recommended by IMO, in general.We advise Members to be fully aware of the above.Source of information: Gabriel Mancas

Interservices S.A.

Club Correspondents, Romania