MEPC.240(65) – Biofuels in Shipping
2013 amendments to the revised guidelines and specifications for oil discharge monitoring and control systems for oil tankers (resolution MEPC.108(49)).
See the MEPC.240(65) regulations for biofuels in tankers, which outlines compliance requirements and best practices for environmental safety.
Understanding MEPC.240(65) – Biofuels in Shipping Regulations
The MEPC.240(65) – Biofuels in Shipping regulation is a critical guideline established by the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
This regulation provides revised guidelines and specifications for the carriage and use of biofuels in tankers, aiming to facilitate the broader adoption of sustainable fuel alternatives within the maritime industry.
By incorporating biofuels, ships can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, aligning their operations with global efforts to combat climate change. MEPC.240(65) ensures that the use of biofuels on tankers supports environmental protection goals without compromising safety and performance. This regulation promotes innovation in fuel technology by encouraging the integration of biofuels, thereby fostering a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable shipping practices across the industry.
What Is MEPC.240(65)?
MEPC.240(65) is the 2013 Guidelines for the Application of the Revised MARPOL Annex I Discharge Requirements for the Carriage of Biofuels, adopted as a resolution of the Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 65th session. The resolution amends MEPC.108(49) to address the specific circumstances of tankers carrying biofuel blend cargoes.
The core issue that MEPC.240(65) addresses is the calculation of the cargo fraction limit for overboard slop discharge. Under MEPC.108(49), the ODME system calculates the total oil discharged as a fraction of the previous cargo and must not exceed 1/30,000 of that cargo quantity. This calculation was developed for petroleum oil cargoes. Where the cargo is a biofuel blend, the composition of the cargo differs from pure petroleum and the ODME system must be capable of correctly applying the cargo fraction limit to the actual blend carried.
What Does MEPC.240(65) Require?
The table below sets out the key provisions of MEPC.240(65) and how they interact with the underlying MEPC.108(49) framework.
| Provision | Detail |
| Applicable vessels | Oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above certified to carry oil in bulk, where the cargo includes biofuel blends |
| What it amends | The MEPC.108(49) ODME guidelines — specifically the provisions governing how the ODME system handles and records cargo that includes biofuel blends rather than pure petroleum cargo |
| Core issue addressed | Standard ODME systems under MEPC.108(49) calculate the cargo fraction limit for overboard discharge based on the assumption that the cargo is petroleum oil. Where the cargo contains a biofuel blend, the calculation of the 1/30,000 cargo fraction limit requires adjustment to account for the different composition of the blend |
| Monitoring requirement | The ODME system must be capable of correctly calculating and recording the cargo fraction discharged where the cargo is a biofuel blend. The slop discharge monitoring and recording obligations of MEPC.108(49) continue to apply in full |
| Record keeping | All slop discharge operations involving biofuel blend cargoes must be recorded in the ODME Electronic Discharge Record in the same way as petroleum cargo discharge operations. The 30 litres per nautical mile instantaneous rate limit and the 1/30,000 cargo fraction limit apply, adjusted for the blend composition |
| Interaction with MEPC.108(49) | MEPC.240(65) does not replace MEPC.108(49) — it amends specific provisions. All other MEPC.108(49) requirements including continuous ODME monitoring, automatic pump control and the Electronic Discharge Record continue to apply in full |
How Does MEPC.240(65) Relate to MEPC.108(49)?
Understanding MEPC.240(65) requires understanding its position within the broader ODME regulatory framework. The table below maps the two resolutions and their relationship.
| Resolution | Adopted | What it does |
| MEPC.108(49) | 2003 | Principal ODME guideline for tanker slop and ballast discharge monitoring. Requires continuous oil concentration monitoring, flow metering, vessel speed and position data, automatic pump control and the Electronic Oil Discharge Monitoring Record. Measuring cell replacement every 5 years. |
| MEPC.240(65) | 2013 | Amendment to MEPC.108(49) to accommodate biofuel blend cargoes. Adjusts the cargo fraction calculation provisions for biofuel blend cargo operations. All other MEPC.108(49) requirements remain in force. |
| MEPC.108(49) as amended by MEPC.240(65) | 2003 as amended 2013 | The current framework governing ODME compliance on tankers carrying oil or biofuel blend cargoes in bulk. Both resolutions must be read together for tankers carrying biofuel blends. |
The practical implication for tanker operators is straightforward: if the vessel carries biofuel blend cargoes, the ODME system must be capable of correctly calculating and recording discharge operations for those cargoes. The ODME system and its operation must comply with MEPC.108(49) as amended — and the ship’s crew must understand how the biofuel blend composition affects the cargo fraction calculation when recording slop discharge operations in the Electronic Oil Discharge Monitoring Record.
Which Tankers Does MEPC.240(65) Apply To?
MEPC.240(65) applies to oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above that are certified to carry oil in bulk and that carry or intend to carry biofuel blend cargoes. The amendment applies to the carriage of biofuel blends that fall within the definition of oil under MARPOL Annex I.
Not all biofuels are covered by MARPOL Annex I. Biofuels that are classified as noxious liquid substances under MARPOL Annex II are outside the scope of MEPC.240(65) and are governed by separate regulations. Operators should confirm with their flag state Administration and classification society which carriage scenarios are covered by MEPC.240(65) for their specific vessel and cargo programme.
| Biofuel blend composition affects the cargo fraction calculation
Where a tanker carries a biofuel blend cargo, the cargo fraction calculation used by the ODME system to determine the 1/30,000 discharge limit must reflect the actual composition of the blend carried, not the characteristics of a pure petroleum cargo. Operators should confirm with their ODME manufacturer and classification society that the ODME system installed on the vessel correctly handles biofuel blend cargo fraction calculations in accordance with MEPC.240(65) before carrying such cargoes. |
What Are the ODME Requirements for Tankers Carrying Biofuel Blends?
The full ODME compliance requirements for tankers carrying biofuel blend cargoes are those of MEPC.108(49) as amended by MEPC.240(65). The key requirements are:
- Continuous oil content monitoring at the discharge point using a type-approved ODME system throughout all slop and ballast discharge operations
- Continuous flow metering of the discharge stream
- Integration with vessel speed and position data from the GPS or navigation system
- Automatic pump control to stop discharge if the instantaneous rate of 30 litres per nautical mile is exceeded
- Cumulative monitoring of the total cargo fraction discharged to ensure it does not exceed 1/30,000 of the previous cargo — calculated for the biofuel blend composition carried
- Electronic Oil Discharge Monitoring Record covering all discharge events with position, speed, oil concentration and cargo fraction data
- Measuring cell replacement every 5 years under MEPC.108(49)
The SMART ODME from Rivertrace is a type-approved ODME system meeting the requirements of MEPC.108(49) and MEPC.240(65) for tanker slop and ballast discharge monitoring. It integrates oil concentration measurement, flow metering, GPS position and speed data, pump control and the Electronic Oil Discharge Monitoring Record in a single system. For the slop tank discharge monitoring application on tankers, see the slop tank wash water discharge application page.
How Does Rivertrace Support Compliance With MEPC.240(65)?
Rivertrace provides ODME systems, calibration services and fleet compliance support for tanker operators carrying oil and biofuel blend cargoes. For fleets carrying biofuel blend cargoes that need to confirm ODME compliance with MEPC.240(65), Rivertrace’s Fleet Compliance Assurance service provides systematic compliance review, planned calibration and documentation management across the fleet.
For any questions on MEPC.240(65) or MEPC.108(49) compliance, contact the Rivertrace technical team by submitting a form on the Contact Us page or by emailing sales@rivertrace.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is MEPC.240(65)?
MEPC.240(65) is a 2013 IMO resolution that amends the ODME guidelines for oil tankers under MEPC.108(49) to accommodate biofuel blend cargoes. It is not a standalone biofuels policy — it is a targeted technical amendment that adjusts the cargo fraction calculation provisions for tankers carrying biofuel blends. All other MEPC.108(49) ODME requirements remain in force.
What is the difference between MEPC.108(49) and MEPC.240(65)?
MEPC.108(49) is the principal 2004 guideline governing ODME systems on oil tankers, covering all aspects of monitoring, recording and controlling slop and ballast discharge. MEPC.240(65) is a 2013 amendment to MEPC.108(49) that adjusts the cargo fraction calculation provisions for biofuel blend cargoes. Tankers carrying biofuel blends must comply with MEPC.108(49) as amended by MEPC.240(65) — both must be read together.
Which tankers does MEPC.240(65) apply to?
MEPC.240(65) applies to oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above certified to carry oil in bulk that carry or intend to carry biofuel blend cargoes falling within the definition of oil under MARPOL Annex I. Biofuels classified as noxious liquid substances under MARPOL Annex II are outside the scope of MEPC.240(65).
Does carrying a biofuel blend cargo require a different ODME system?
Not necessarily a different system, but the ODME system must be capable of correctly calculating and recording the cargo fraction for biofuel blend cargoes in accordance with MEPC.240(65). Operators should confirm with their ODME manufacturer and classification society that the installed system correctly handles biofuel blend cargo fraction calculations before carrying such cargoes.
Does the 30 litres per nautical mile discharge limit still apply for biofuel blend cargoes?
Yes. The instantaneous discharge rate limit of 30 litres per nautical mile and the cumulative 1/30,000 cargo fraction limit both continue to apply under MEPC.108(49) as amended by MEPC.240(65). The amendment adjusts how the cargo fraction is calculated for biofuel blend composition — it does not change the discharge limits themselves.
If you have any questions about the MARPOL marine environmental regulations or the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) guidelines, please contact us either by submitting a form here using this link with your questions or email us at sales@rivertrace.com. We are always happy to help.
For more information on the MARPOL marine environmental regulations or the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) guidelines visit our Regulations section