The Oil Record Book (ORB) is a mandatory document under MARPOL Annex I regulations, designed to ensure that ships maintain accurate records of operations related to machinery space and cargo oil. The ORB is crucial for demonstrating compliance with pollution prevention measures and is inspected during port state control checks.
The ORB was introduced as part of the international framework to combat marine pollution, particularly oil pollution from ships. Its primary purpose is to provide a record of shipboard activities involving oil to ensure accountability and facilitate investigations in case of suspected violations.
Prevent illegal discharges of oil into the sea.
Establish a robust framework for documenting compliance with MARPOL Annex I.
Enhance transparency in shipboard oil management.
ORB Part I:
Required for all ships of 400 gross tons and above.
Covers machinery space operations, including:
Bunkerr tranfer, consumption of fuel oil tanks, including cleaning.
Discharge of bilge water.
Disposal of oily residues (sludge).
Operation of the oily water separator and other
ORB Part II:
Required for oil tankers of 150 gross tons and above.
Covers cargo and clean ballast operations, including:
Loading, discharging, and transferring oil cargo.
Cleaning of cargo tanks.
Handling of oil residues from cargo tanks including sludge
ODME usage and other
Engine Department (Chief Engineer):
Maintains the ORB Part I for machinery space operations.
Ensures accurate recording of operations involving oily residues, bilge water, and discharges.
Oversees compliance with equipment use, such as the oily water separator and Oil Content Meteri
Deck Department (Chief Officer):
Maintains the ORB Part II for oil cargo and ballast operations.
Ensures proper documentation of cargo-related activities, tank cleaning, and handling of residues.
Master’s Responsibility:
Ultimately responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the ORB.
Ensures the crew is trained and aware of MARPOL regulations.
Verifies ORBs records
While the ORB format and requirements are standardized under MARPOL, flag states may introduce administrative variations. For example:
Liberia, Panama, Marshall Islands and other Administrations:
Align closely with MARPOL but may specify submission processes or penalties for non-compliance.
Administrative differences are minor, as the fundamental requirements stem from MARPOL Annex I.
he ORB is verified through inspections conducted by various authorities, including Port State Control (PSC), the U.S. Coast Guard (CG), marine pollution departments (USA), vetting inspections, and the Chemical Distribution Institute (CDI) and others
Tampering with ORB entries has been a recurring issue.
Falsified entries and use of bypass equipment have led to criminal prosecutions.
Cases often result in hefty fines, vessel detentions, and career damage to seafarers.
Criminal and Civil Actions: Fines and jail terms for crew and vessel managers.
Reputation Damage: Impacts fleet trading abilities and operator credibility.
Vessel Detentions: Lengthy investigations and trading delays, often accompanied by the incarceration of crewmembers.
The electronic Oil Record Book (e-ORB) modernizes compliance, replacing paper-based logs with a software solution:
Complies with MARPOL Annex I regulations 17 & 36 and IMO Circ 736/Rev. 2.
Reduces errors and enhances auditability.
Facilitates efficient record-keeping and retrieval.
Global Trends:
Many shipping companies are transitioning to e-ORBs to streamline operations and reduce risks of tampering.
Statistics show an increasing adoption rate, particularly among fleets with advanced digital infrastructure.
Eliminates human errors in manual entries.
Provides tamper-proof records, ensuring credibility during inspections.
Integrates seamlessly with other shipboard systems.
The Electronic Oil Record Book (ε-ORB) offers a modern, efficient, and compliant solution for maintaining oil record books onboard vessels. Designed to align with MARPOL Annex I and IMO guidelines, the ε-ORB provides a range of features that address the challenges and limitations of traditional paper-based ORBs.
Automated Calculations
Eliminates vague entries and prevents mistakes in recordkeeping.
Reduces the risk of vessel detentions and delays at ports due to discrepancies.
Helps shipowners and operators avoid costly lawsuits and criminal charges.
User-Friendly Software
Streamlines the process of maintaining records, making it efficient and effortless.
Acts as a paperless solution, reducing the workload of seafarers and saving time.
Prevents loss or misplacement of oil record books onboard.
Secured Access and E-Signatures
Ensures transparency and accountability by restricting access to authorized personnel only.
E-signatures provide traceability and confidence that entries are made solely by designated officers.
Maintenance and Support Plans
Timely software updates to ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
Round-the-clock IT technical support available within 24 hours.
Backed by reputable organizations and Organizations.
Regulatory Compliance
Compliant with IMO regulations and MARPOL guidelines, including guidance from the MEPC 66/7 report.
Meets international and flag state requirements, ensuring global operability.
Cloud Portal Integration
Allows shipowners to access and manage ε-ORB data for their entire fleet remotely.
Facilitates internal audits by pre-checking logbooks and comparing operational data across vessels.
Provides a secure backup and retrieval system for archived data, ensuring accessibility and data protection.
Operational Benefits
Saves man-hours and reduces overtime costs.
Enhances data security and minimizes the chance of unauthorized alterations.
Offers peace of mind during port inspections and internal reviews by maintaining accurate and tamper-proof records.
Strengthens compliance efforts, reducing the risk of non-conformance and penalties.
Builds confidence among ship operators by providing an auditable trail of operations.
Demonstrates the industry’s commitment to environmental protection through effective oil management practices.
The ε-ORB represents a significant leap forward in maritime operations, merging technology with regulatory compliance to benefit shipowners, seafarers, and the environment.
The ORB, whether traditional or electronic, is a critical component of pollution prevention and compliance in the maritime industry. Moving towards electronic solutions not only simplifies operations but also strengthens the industry's commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory adherence.
