Intertanko has been advised by members of an increasing focus on the implementation of the European Union Regulation (EC) 782/2003 by European port state control officers with the overriding threat of a detention for not being able to adequately demonstrate compliance with the Regulation.

EC Regulation 782/2003 relates to the prohibition of organotin compounds on ships and has been in force in Europe since 14 April 2003, with implementation dates from 1 July 2003. The Regulation draws largely on the IMO’s AFS Convention*, and was actually implemented to encourage European member states to ratify this Convention. European-flagged ships may now have to demonstrate compliance with this regulation by providing an AFS Certificate to EU member state port state control. We understand that Italy and Denmark are currently focusing on this certificate and that it is likely that other states will also follow this lead.

*The AFS Convention (International Convention on the Control of Harmful anti-fouling Systems on Ships) will enter into force 12 months after 25 states representing 25 per cent of the world’s merchant tonnage have ratified. So far 16 states, representing 17.27 per cent of the world’s tonnage, have ratified the AFS Convention.

For more information contact:
Tim.Wilkins@intertanko.com

Date: 2006-03-13