The substance is now prohibited from discharge into marine environment
The UK P&I Club has issued a news alert on its website to inform that Polyisobutene has been reclassified as category X hazard and prohibited from discharge into marine environment
MARPOL Annex II
| Category X: Substances that present a major hazard to either marine resources or human health and, therefore, justify the prohibition of the discharge into the marine environment |
For substances under category X, a tank from which a substance in category X has been unloaded, must be pre washed before the ship leaves the port of unloading. The resulting residues must be discharged to a reception facility until the concentration of the substance is at or below 0.1% by weight.
Polyisobutene produced in the 1930’s is a synthetic alternative to natural rubber being very similar in molecular structure to polythene and polypropylene the materials used for making paper bags and cling film. It is also used as an additive in lubricating oils and fuels. Over 850,000 tonnes are shipped around the world each year.
The amendment will be put forward for inclusion in the IBC code in 2014 and could be implemented in 2016.
Read more at Safety4Sea article
High-viscosity PIB discharge into sea banned
