IMO releases International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (ESP Code), 2020 Ed. (IC265E)

The International code on the enhanced programme of inspections during surveys of bulk carriers and oil tankers, 2011 (2011 ESP Code) establishes a survey standard for the regular and safe survey of the cargo and ballast areas of oil tankers and bulk carriers.

The Code provides, in particular, requirements for:

  • renewal, annual and intermediate surveys
  • preparations for surveys
  • documentation on board
  • procedures for thickness measurements
  • acceptance criteria
  • reporting and evaluation of surveys

The 2011 ESP Code became mandatory under SOLAS regulation XI-1/2. Parts A and B of annex A of the Code provide the requirements for bulk carriers with single-side skin and double-side skin construction, respectively. Parts A and B of annex B of the Code provide the requirements for oil tankers with double-hull and non-double-hull construction, respectively. In order to provide an easy-to-use Code, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee agreed that the Code should be closely aligned with the IACS Unified Requirements (UR) Z10 (Hull surveys).

This edition contains all amendments to the Code since its adoption: resolutions MSC.371(93), MSC.381(94), MSC.405(96), MSC.412(97) and MSC.461(101). The latest amendments in resolution MSC.461(101) enter into force on 1 January 2021.