An IOPP Certificate is required for tank vessels over what gross tonnage?

The IOPP (International Oil Pollution Prevention) Certificate is an essential requirement for tank vessels to demonstrate compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), specifically Annex I, which deals with the prevention of pollution by oil. This certificate must be issued to all oil tankers that exceed 150 gross tonnage (GT), as these vessels present a higher risk of oil pollution due to their size and the nature of their operations.

The threshold of 150 GT is established to ensure that larger vessels, which have the potential to cause significant environmental harm if an oil spill occurs, are properly equipped with the necessary Pollution Prevention Equipment and have undergone the appropriate surveys and inspections to ensure compliance with MARPOL regulations.

Smaller vessels, with a gross tonnage below this threshold, may not face the same level of risk regarding oil pollution, so they are not required to obtain an IOPP Certificate, thus making the requirement specifically targeted towards larger tank vessels where the potential for environmental impact is greater.