1a. Offshore Prior COP

Hull Marine Growth Removal

Remove marine growth from hull and subsea structures to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce drag, and prevent spread of invasive species. Lead in antifouling paints affecting local discharge to the sea bed need consideration and review. Early removal and disposal supports environmental compliance.

Ballast and Bilge Management

Inspect ballast tanks and bilge spaces to comply with ballast water protocols and prevent cross-contamination. Conduct pre-transfer checks to ensure regulatory compliance.

Cargo and Residual Fluids Management

Ensure cargo and residual fluids are drained from tanks/pipes to reduce hazards for decommissioning. This mitigates risk and complies with MARPOL and environmental standards.

Hazardous Material Inspection

Under the Hong Kong Convention (HKC), the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) requires ships to document hazardous materials such as asbestos, PCBs, and heavy metals. This ensures safe handling and disposal during decommissioning and recycling, protecting both workers and the environment. Hazardous materials should be removed and disposed of in-country whenever possible; if not, compliant procedures must be implemented early in the recycling process to ensure safe disposal and environmental protection.

Tank Cleaning and Ventilation Checks

Initiate partial tank cleaning. Verify all tank cleaning and ventilation systems, including hot washing, stripping pumps, and deep well pumps, to ensure they operate effectively. Check slop tank capacity, COW machines, and ventilation systems, and confirm gas detection for safe, thorough cleaning and decontamination. These preparations help minimize hazards and facilitate later gas-free certification.

Power Generation and Backup Systems

Before COP, ensure power-hungry systems (e.g., tank cleaning, maintenance equipment) are completed or fuel reserves are available for post-COP tasks. Verify critical systems like ventilation, lighting, and emergency functions are operational. These preparations ensure vessel readiness, supporting safe operations and essential tasks during the powered-down phase.

Accommodation and Living Facilities

Arrange additional accommodations as needed for decommissioning crew. Prepare living facilities to maintain onboard safety and coordination.

Personnel Limits (POB)

Reduce onboard personnel to essential staff to enhance coordination, reduce hazards, and comply with safety protocols during preparatory stages.

Life-Saving and Emergency Systems

Ensure life-saving appliances (LSA), firefighting systems (FFE), and emergency equipment are operational, following regulatory standards for offshore safety.

Mooring Arrangements

Verify operability of mooring systems; conduct inspection of winches, chains, and anchors. Deploy temporary moorings if necessary for stable vessel transition.

Towing Points Inspection and Preparation

Reinforce towing points and install backup towing connections for safe offshore transit. Protect from corrosion to secure towing integrity throughout.

Documentation and Regulatory Compliance

Ensure all permits and documentation are updated to comply with IMO, MARPOL, and other regulatory standards, while maintaining records to confirm compliance and reduce legal risks. A Disposal and Recovery Request (DRR) for hazardous material transfer requires waste classification, cross-border approval, transport permits, and disposal at approved facilities, with approval influenced by the receiving country’s standards, waste type, and applicant’s compliance history.

Offshore Prior to COPOffshore Prior to COP

CONTACT US