The International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) supplement is designed to play a critical role in ensuring that oil tankers comply with MARPOL (Marine Pollution) standards, specifically those relevant to the prevention of pollution by oil. MARPOL is an international convention aimed at minimizing marine pollution from ships due to operational or accidental causes. The IOPP supplement serves as documentation that vessel operators must maintain to demonstrate compliance with these regulations. This includes stipulations for the design and equipment of oil tankers, as well as operational procedures that must be followed to avert oil spills and ensure that all oil residues or discharges are managed appropriately.
While promoting safe shipping practices and crew training are indeed important aspects of maritime safety and environmental protection, they are not the primary focus of the IOPP supplement itself. The supplement is directly tied to specific regulatory compliance rather than broader principles of safety or training initiatives. Thus, its main purpose is to ensure that oil tankers meet the precise requirements set out under MARPOL, solidifying its role in the regulatory framework of maritime environmental protection.