[060718.EN.BIZ] IMO to Use of Digital Oil Books For Liberian Ships

THE UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has circulated details of the Liberian government's letter confirming that it has approved the use of Prevention at Sea's oil record book software, called e-ORB.

e-ORB is an alternative to the traditional hard copy oil record books under MARPOL (marine pollution) annex 1, regulations 17 (part I) and 36 (part II), and applies to all Liberian registered vessels.

The IMO's circular has been sent to parties of the MARPOL convention and member states of the organisation for their appropriate action, with the aim to inform governments worldwide and port state control's memorandum of understandings (MoUs) on the use of e-ORB on board ships.

The Liberian government's letter goes onto state that the electronic ORB can be used onboard after the vessel receives a 'declaration of MARPOL electronic record book' issued by the registry.

Vessels using e-ORB will have to print from the software the traditional ORB hard copy until amendments to MARPOL annex I on the use of electronic record books enters into force.

"I am delighted that the IMO has released the subject circular to all parties as this vindicates our determination to develop this software with the aim to minimize errors and mistakes in oil record book entries," said Prevention at Sea CEO Petros Achtypis.

Source : HKSG.