The Oil Companies International Marine Forum’s latest information paper, released on 13 March, addresses the use of inert gas for the carriage of flammable oil cargoes.

In it OCIMF fully supports the IMO introduction (from 1 January 2016) of the mandatory fitting to new build tankers 8,000 DWT and over, of an inert gas system when carrying flammable cargoes.

OCIMF encourages the fitting of inert gas systems to all new tankers carrying flammable oil cargoes, regardless of size.

OCIMF encourages companies to consider retro-actively fitting inert gas systems to existing tankers carrying flammable oil cargoes, not already covered by the SOLAS inert gas requirements.

OCIMF Director, Andrew Cassels, said “The safety benefits of inert gas in cargo tanks are well recognised throughout the tanker industry. Over the years many lives have been lost, or serious injuries sustained, due to incidents involving fires and explosions in cargo tanks on non-inerted tankers transporting flammable oil cargoes. The installation of an inert gas system on oil tankers of all sizes that carry flammable oil cargoes is both technically and operationally feasible.

“In summary, OCIMF considers there are considerable safety benefits if oil tankers that carry flammable oil cargoes are designed and fitted with a SOLAS compliant inert gas system and operated in such a manner that cargo tanks are maintained in an inert condition.”
Source: OCIMF