If you own or operate a ship with a marine diesel engine that has a power output of more than 130 kW, you may need to obtain an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) Certificate. This certificate is a requirement of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Annex VI, which aims to reduce air pollution from ships by setting limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.
In this blog post, we will explain what an EIAPP Certificate is, why it is important, how to get one, and what to do with it once you have it.
What is an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) Certificate?
An EIAPP Certificate is a document that certifies that a marine diesel engine complies with the NOx emission standards specified in the NOx Technical Code, which is part of MARPOL Annex VI. The NOx Technical Code provides technical requirements and testing procedures for marine diesel engines to ensure that they do not emit excessive amounts of NOx, which can harm human health and the environment.
An EIAPP Certificate is issued by an authorized organization, such as a classification society or a flag state administration, after conducting a pre-certification survey of the engine. The survey involves verifying that the engine, its components, adjustable features, and technical file are in accordance with the NOx Technical Code. The technical file contains information on the engine design, settings, adjustments, verification procedures, and test results.
An EIAPP Certificate must be accompanied by a supplement that contains a record of construction, technical file, and means of verification. The supplement provides details on the engine manufacturer, model number, serial number, test cycle, rated power and speed, engine approval number, and other relevant information.
Why is an EIAPP Certificate important?
An EIAPP Certificate is important because it demonstrates that your marine diesel engine meets the international standards for NOx emissions. This can help you avoid fines or penalties for non-compliance with MARPOL Annex VI, which can be enforced by port state authorities or flag state administrations. It can also help you improve your environmental performance and reputation as a responsible ship owner or operator.
How to get an EIAPP Certificate?
To get an EIAPP Certificate, you need to contact an authorized organization that can conduct the pre-certification survey of your marine diesel engine. You can find a list of authorized organizations on the website of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is the body that oversees MARPOL Annex VI.
You will need to provide the authorized organization with the necessary documentation and information on your engine, such as the technical file, test results, drawings, manuals, etc. The authorized organization will then verify that your engine complies with the NOx Technical Code and issue you an EIAPP Certificate and a supplement.
You will need to pay a fee for the pre-certification survey and the issuance of the certificate. The fee may vary depending on the authorized organization and the complexity of your engine.
What to do with an EIAPP Certificate once you have it?
Once you have obtained an EIAPP Certificate and a supplement for your marine diesel engine, you need to keep them on board your ship at all times. You also need to ensure that your engine remains in compliance with the NOx Technical Code throughout its life. This means that you cannot make any modifications or adjustments to your engine that may affect its NOx emissions without prior approval from the authorized organization.
You also need to undergo periodic surveys to verify that your engine continues to comply with the NOx Technical Code. These surveys are conducted by authorized organizations at intervals not exceeding five years. You will need to present your EIAPP Certificate and supplement during these surveys.
If you replace or install a new marine diesel engine on your ship after 1 January 2000, you will need to obtain a new EIAPP Certificate and supplement for that engine. If you transfer your ship to another flag state or sell it to another owner or operator, you will need to ensure that the EIAPP Certificate and supplement are transferred along with the ship or engine.
Conclusion
An EIAPP Certificate is a valuable document that certifies that your marine diesel engine complies with the NOx emission standards of MARPOL Annex VI. It can help you avoid legal troubles and enhance your environmental credentials as a ship owner or operator. To obtain an EIAPP Certificate, you need to contact an authorized organization that can conduct a pre-certification survey of your engine and issue you a certificate and a supplement. You need to keep these documents on board your ship at all times and maintain your engine in compliance with the NOx Technical Code.
