**Executive Summary**
Merchant Shipping Notice No. 03 of 2024, issued on February 9, 2024, addresses the use of Electronic Record Books (ERB) under MARPOL regulations. It details the requirements for electronic record keeping systems on Indian ships and provides instructions for flag administration surveyors and Indian ships. This notice is effective from the date of issue.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Background & Regulations:**
* The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted resolutions regarding ERBs, including MEPC.312(74), MEPC.314(74), MEPC.316(74), and MEPC.317(74).
* The Government of India's "Digital India" program aims to digitally empower society.
* The Directorate General of Shipping permits the use of specified Electronic Record Books as detailed in circulars and notices.
* **Permitted Electronic Record Books:**
* Oil Record Book, parts I and II (MARPOL Annex I, regulations 17.1 and 36.1).
* Cargo Record Book (MARPOL Annex II, regulation 15.1).
* Garbage Record Book, parts I and II (MARPOL Annex V, regulation 10.3).
* Ozone-depleting Substances Record Book (MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 12.6).
* Recording of the tier and on/off status of marine diesel engines (MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 13.5.3).
* Record of Fuel Oil Changeover (MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 14.6).
* Record Book of Engine Parameters (NOX Technical Code, paragraph 6.2.2.7).
* **Requirements for Electronic Record Books:**
* ERBs must capture the information required in paper record books under MARPOL.
* The Electronic Record Keeping System must be type-approved before fitment on board an Indian ship.
* After fitting, any Recognized Organization must verify the type approval and issue a "Declaration of MARPOL Electronic Record Book."
* **Instructions to Flag Administration Surveyors and Indian Ships:**
* Indian Administration Surveyors may accept ERBs produced by foreign ships with a "Declaration of MARPOL Electronic Record Book."
* Indian ships remain responsible for accurately maintaining records, even when using ERBs.
* Ships unable to produce ERBs or the declaration during inspections may be asked to show alternative verified copies or hard copies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Mercantile Marine Departments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the notice.
* **Action Required:** Take note of the notice and its requirements.
**Stakeholder: Surveyors-in-charge**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the notice.
* **Action Required:** Take note of the notice and its requirements.
**Stakeholder: Recognized Organizations**
* **Impact:** Need to provide type approval and verification services for ERBs.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with DGS Order 6 of 2013 & RO Agreement and the guidelines in Resolution MEPC.312(74).
**Stakeholder: Indian Ships**
* **Impact:** Can utilize electronic record-keeping systems.
* **Action Required:** Ensure ERBs meet requirements, obtain necessary declarations, and understand continued responsibility for accurate record maintenance.
Key Entities Referenced
MARPOL: The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended; the core international regulatory framework addressed by the notice regarding electronic record books.
IMO Resolution MEPC.312(74): Guidelines for the Use of Electronic Record Books (ERB) under MARPOL; specifies the technical and operational standards for electronic record-keeping systems for ships.
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai: Indian Maritime Administration permitting use of Electronic Record Books.
'Digital India' programme: A Government of India program to transform India into a digitally empowered society which the use of electronic record books helps to achieve.
Indian Ships: Specifically, this notice describes the requirements for the use of Electronic Record Books by Companies wishing to use electronic record keeping systems on board them.
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DIREGTORATE, GENERAL OF EHIPPIN(i, TTIIUNIIIBAI
Merchant Shipping Notice No. 03 of 2024
File No. t3-20lL|1O23-ENGG - DGS Date: O9.O2.2O24
Subject: Use of Electronic Record Books Under MARPOL reg.
A. Background
1. The Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 74th session adopted the
resolutions:
IMO Resolution MEPC.312(Z+): Grridelines for the use of Electronic Record Books
under MARPOL.
ii. IMO Resolution MEPC.314(74): Amendments to the Annex of the In
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the
of 1978 relating thereto.
iii. IMO Resolution MEpC.B16(za): Amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1997
amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973,
modifi.ed by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto'
iv. IMO Resolution MEPC.317(74): Amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008
Record Books and certification Requirements for SCR Systems)
2. The Government of India launched the 'Digital India' programme with the vision
transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy
ensuring digital access, digital inclusion, digital empowerment and bridging the digi
divide.
B. The Directorate General of Shipping (Indian Maritime Administration) has permitted use
following Electronic Record Books vid"e its various Circular/NlS Notices and
communications from time to time:
i. OiI Record Book, parts I and II (MARPOL Annex I, regulations 17.1 and 36'1);
ii. Cargo Record Book (MARPOL Annex II, regulation 15.1)i
I 4
llPageGarbage Record Book, parts I and II Annex V regulation 10 3)
111.
iv. Ozone-depleting Substances Record Book (MARPOL Annex [, regulation 12.d;
(MARPOL Annex
v Recording of the tier and on/off status of marlne diesel engrnes
regulation 13.5.3);
vi. Record of Fuel oil Changeover (MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 14'6)i and
vii. Record. Book of Engine Parameters (NOX Technical Code' paragraph 6'2'2'7)
4 This Merchant Shipping Notice details the requlrements for the use of electronic
keeping systems for Record Books required by the International Convention for
Prevention of Pollution from shipS, 1973 AS amended (MARPOL) and applies to
companies wishing to use electronic record keeping systems on board Indian ships to
paper MARPOL Record Books'
B. Requirements for Electronic Record Books
5. Electronic MARPOL Record Books must capture the information required to be recorded
paper Record Books by MARPOL.
6. The Electronic Record Keeping System before fitment on board an Indian ship must be
a'pproved by Recognized Organizations 1n accordance with DGS Order 6 of 2013 &
Agreement for meeting the technical and operational requirements of Resolution MEPC J
(Za): Guidelines for the Use of Electronic Record Books under MARPOL'
7. After fitment of electronic record system on board an Indian ships' any
organization issuing relevant statutory certificate on behalf of Government of India m
verifu the type approval certificate issued. by RO and the electronic record keeping
meeting the technical and operational criteria contained in Resolution MEPC' 312 (74)
issuea..DeclarationofMARPOLElectronicRecord'Book..intheformatannexed
Resolution MEPC 3l2Q 4).
c. Instructions to Flag Administration surveyors and Indian ships
g. The Indian Administration surveyors may accept the Electronic Record Book produced
foreign ships during port state inspections in India subject to producing a "Declaration
MARPOL Electronic Record Book-' issued by Administration or RO on its behalf'
g. The Indian ships to be aware that the use of and reliance upon electronic record books in
way relieves ship-owners and. masters of their existing duty to accurately maintain
prod.uce records during an inspection, as required. by MARPOL' Therefore, if a ship
produce the electronic record book or a d.eclaration provid'ed' by an RO on behalf of
d.uring a PSC inspection, the Port State control offi-cer may request to view an
verified copy ofthe records or a hard. copy record book for verification'
2lPageof Shipping and comes into effect
10. This is issued with the approval of the Director-General
the date of issue of this notice'
u1
'J
(r
Engineer and Ship Surveyor Cum Deputy DGS (
chennai/
1. li. rr,n.,oalofficer/ Mercantile Marine Department, Mumbai/Kolkata/
Z. TK ha en d Sla u/ rK veo yc oh ri. -in-charge, Mercantile Marine Department' Goa/Jamnagar/Port Blair
7r'ircorin /Noida /Haldia/ Paradip /M angalore'
/Visakhapa,n.rn
3. All Recognised Organizations'
4.
CS/NA/DY'CSS
5. Hindi Celtwith request to provide Hinditranslation'
6. Computer Cell with request to upload on DGS website
3lPage