Provisions from New OCIMF STS Guidelines

Dear Clients,

Two days ago, our industry saw the release of the new CDI/ICS/OCIMF/SIGTTO Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfer Guidelines, 2025, Second Edition (ISBN: 978-1-917308-73-1).

At this early stage, it is premature to provide a full analysis of the impact of the new edition. Time will be needed for all of us to review the new guidelines, recommendations, changes, improvements, and potential challenges. However, until all vessel STS Plans are updated to incorporate the 2025 requirements, we recommend that you include in your C/P's, other rider clauses and Q88 forms a specific reference with emphasis to 2013 STS guide of OCIMF, instead of "the latest".

As an example, we draw your attention to the following extract from SHELLTIME 4:

QUOTE

"................ shall exercise due diligence to ensure that any ship-to-ship transfer operations shall conform to standards not less than those set out in the 2013 edition of the ICS/OCIMF Ship-to-Ship Transfer Guide"

UNQUOTE

For Q88 responses, if you intend to reply positively to Q11.1, we suggest the following format: "Yes / Edition 2013."

DYNAMARINe is pleased to inform you that many of the services already provided by DYNAMARINe, such as enhanced vessel compatibility and risk assessments, STS Service Provider evaluations, STS drills, Training requirements for PTB, 3D Mooring Plans, and Class-approved portable chocks - are now formally referenced in the new Guide.

Our first impression is that OCIMF has shifted from the responsibility for defining explicit criteria/ thresholds to STS stakeholders, including equipment manufacturers. Instead in some cases industry stakeholders have to define and decide the criteria, themselves without conforming to an OCIMF "minimum risk" recommendation. This change inevitably increases the burden on tanker operators and service providers, particularly for those without direct access to objective and transparent data as well as benchmarking.

The new STS Guide is now final and published, and as an industry, we must support it and adapt to its guidelines and requirements.

DYNAMARINe will take all necessary steps to support OCIMF, INTERTANKO, tanker operators, STS service providers, and charterers during this transition, towards ensuring safe and compliant STS operations.

The next Steps from DYNAMARINe have as follows:

1. Develop a Gap Assessment - A structured assessment for your records will be issued before the end of September.

2. Post Feadback Assessment - We have already revised the Post feedback report to reflect new requirements and will be released during last quarter of 2025.

3. Service Report Updates - Updates to Parts A, B, and C of DYNAMARINe's STS Service Reports, targeted for completion before end of 2025.

4. New STS Plans Development - Further to Class feedback, we will roll out updated STS Plans for all enrolled DYNAMARINe STS Vessels, free of charge, with priority.

We will continue to keep you informed and provide practical tools to ensure smooth transition and compliance with the 2025 STS Guidelines.

Warm Regards

DYNAMARINe Team