The International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate is specifically required for tank vessels. These ships are designed to carry bulk liquids, including oil and other hazardous substances, making them particularly subject to regulations aimed at preventing oil pollution at sea. The IOPP Certificate ensures that the vessel has met certain design, equipment, and operational standards to minimize the risk of oil spills and environmental damage.
Tank vessels convey a higher risk due to their cargo and therefore must comply with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) regulations, which include provisions for the management of oil and oily mixtures. This certification verifies that the vessel has essential features such as adequate pollution prevention equipment and operational procedures in place.
Although other vessel types have their own regulatory frameworks, they do not share the same level of specific requirement for the IOPP Certificate as tank vessels, highlighting the heightened focus on oil pollution prevention in their operations.