The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) released new safety regulations in June 2009 following the 86th meeting session of the Maritime Safety Committee. This new set of safety regulations termed IMO MSC.1/Circ. 1324 is applicable to IIB cargo tankers carrying crude oil, petroleum products and other flammable chemicals.
This safety amendment revises the requirements for devices to prevent the passage of flames into cargo tanks. IMO 1324 regulations apply to all new vessels constructed on or after 1 Jan 2013. For vessels constructed before 1 Jan 2013, it is mandatory for all tankers carrying IIB cargoes to have IIB compliant equipment installed at the first dry-docking on or after 1 Jan 2013.
As the Official Service & Repair Centre of Pres-Vac Engineering, GIA engineers have been certified to carry out maintenance work on Pres-Vac pressure vacuum (PV) valves. GIA offers a conversion package for vessels fitted with Pres-Vac PV valves to help meet the new safety requirements in IMO 1324. This conversion and upgrading to equipment approved under IMO 1324 is the most effective, safe and simple method of complying with the new IMO 1324 regulations while maintaining the vessel’s capacity to carry IIB cargoes.
