Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION OF OIL POLLUTION) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 24

Segregation of oil and water ballast

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this regulation, in new  ships of
4000 GRT and above other than oil tankers, and in new oil tankers of 150 GRT
and above, no ballast water shall be carried in any oil fuel tank.

(2) Where abnormal conditions or the need to carry large quantities of
oil fuel render it necessary for ships referred to in paragraph (1) of this
regulation to carry ballast water which is not clean ballast water in any
oil fuel tank, such ballast water shall be discharged to reception facilities
or into the sea in compliance with regulation 12 using the equipment specified
in regulation 14(2), and an entry of any such discharge shall be made in the
Oil Record Book.

(3) Ships other than those to which paragraph (1) applies shall comply with
the requirements of paragraph (1) so far as it is reasonable and practicable
to do so. (L.N. 177 of 1991)

(4) In a ship of 400 GRT and above, for which the building contract was placed
after 1 January 1982, or, in the absence of a building contract, the keel of
which was laid or which reached a similar stake of construction after 1 July
1982, oil shall not be carried in a forepeak tank or a tank forward of the
collision bulkhead. (L.N. 177 of 1991)

(5) Ships other than those to which paragraph (4) applies shall comply with
the requirements of paragraph (4) so far as it is reasonable and practicable
to do so. (L.N. 177 of 1991)