ABS Authorized to Issue IAPP Certificates

Effective 6 August 2009, ABS is authorized to act on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for verifying compliance by U.S.-flag vessels with MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI. Acting as a Recognized Organization, the class society can now issue the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate, required by MARPOL, on behalf of the USCG, to US-flag vessels that meet the criteria.

MARPOL Annex VI addresses the amount of sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions permitted from ships and has set an aggressive target to reduce these levels over the next decade.