Pakistan

Guidelines for chartering oil/product tankers

The Director General of Ports and Shipping, Karachi issued the following circular letter dated 29 January 2005.

This Ministry has noted with serious concern the absence of specific government guidelines for tankers calling at Pakistani Ports. As a result, this Ministry has taken due cognizance and is of the opinion that the issuance of policy guidelines in the form of a circular for chartering oil tankers/product tankers, irrespective of the type of cargo carried by them, is necessary.

As a first stage the Ministry intends to issue the following policy guidelines for crude oil and product tankers on international voyage to and from Pakistani ports, in order to prevent the entry of substandards tankers in our ports.

1. a. Crude oil tanker with SBT/PL up to 25 years age;
b. All product tankers with SBT/PL up to 25 years age;
c. All such tankers must be classed with the classification society, which must be a member of International Association of Classification Societies (IACS);
d. Tankers must comply with IMO Condition Assessment Scheme;
e. Tanker charterers and oil terminals shall exercise due diligence in ensuring the quality of tankers in chartered;
f. This circular shall be applicable to all crude oil and product tankers and any such tanker not complying with above guidelines may not be permitted to enter ports or offshore installations areas, anchorage, or any area under the jurisdiction of Pakistani ports.

However, if satisfied after a survey, Port State Control may grant permission.

2. The above guidelines shall come into force with effect from 5th April 2005.

3. All shipping companies, charters and oil terminal operators are directed to strictly adhere to the above guidelines. Source: General Shipping Agencies Pvt Ltd, Karachi