On 18 October 2013, ClassNK issued Technical Information No. 0968 on the subject of "Final 2013 Vessel General Permit issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" (hereinafter referred to as "2013 VGP"). Since the issuance of Technical Information No. 0968, many inquiries, particularly about the use of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (hereinafter referred to as "EAL"), have been received. Therefore, more detailed explanations about the use of EALs are given in the table below.

ClassNK is now issuing a "Statement of Fact" (hereinafter referred to as "SOF") as part of its new "EAL Usage Assessment Service" to verify that a ship is in full compliance with the 2013 VGP requirements. SOFs can be issued for the following cases:
(1) An air seal system is being used;
(2) An EAL is being used for lubrication on a newly built ship;
(3) An existing ship switches from a conventional lubricant to an EAL; and,
(4) The use of an EAL is technically infeasible.

We are providing this service as part of our continued commitment to provide our customers with the best support possible. If you are a company which has ships navigating in US waters, then we feel that our service is an excellent way to ensure that your ships are in full compliance with the 2013 VGP requirements. Applications for this new service can be submitted to your nearest ClassNK branch or office. We are very much looking forward to hearing from you.

More specific information about the 2013 VGP can be downloaded from the US EPA's website at
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/vgpermit.cfm

(To be continued)