The International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London on October 6th to discuss the phasing out of single-hull tankers. A provisional agreement was reached during these meetings.
      During the 45th session, the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting made the first formal step toward a global timetable for the phasing out of single-hull tankers. The agreement paves the way for formal adoption next April of a revised Regulation 13G of Annex 1 of the International Marine Pollution (MARPOL) Convention. The revision defines phaseout programs for three categories of existing tankers, however, some of the major details have yet to be formalized.
      In category 1, pre-MARPOL tankers will be phased out progressively between Jan. 1, 2003 and Jan. 1, 2007, depending on their year of delivery.
      In category 2, MARPOL tankers, two alternatives exist. Vessels built in 1986 or earlier would be phased out after their 25th year of operation under both schemes. However, Alternative A calls for ships built after 1986 to be phased out between 2012 and 2015. Under Alternative B, phase out would begin between 2012 and 2017.
      Category 3 applies to smaller tankers outside MARPOL requirements. Again, two alternatives exist. Under alternative A, tankers built during or before 1987 would be phased out between 2003 and 2013, but those built after 1987 would be phased out between 2013 and 2015. Under Alternative B's plan, vessels would be phased out between 2013 and 2017. The U.S. delegation, which had hoped to substitute Regulation 13G with the same regulations as its own Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90), reserved its position until the April meeting. For more detail on tanker categories go to www.imo.org.

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