IHM Compliance for Tanker Vessels

Vessel-type-specific Inventory of Hazardous Materials guidance for the global tanker fleet (oil, chemical, product carriers). Continuous IHM Part I, II & III maintenance aligned with HKC, EU SRR and MEPC.405(83) — powered by Varuna Sentinels’ VSIMS platform.

HKC In Force ICIHM Required MEPC.405(83) PFOS Phase-out

Tanker IHM — Key Compliance Facts

Below are the regulatory and operational pillars every tanker operator should track in 2026 — alongside the universal HKC and EU SRR baselines.

Tankers above 500 GT are fully in scope of the Hong Kong Convention from 26 June 2025 — ICIHM is mandatory.

Cargo system coatings (epoxy, zinc, stainless cladding) require dedicated IHM Part I sampling and Material Declarations.

PFAS firefighting foams used in tanker deck-foam systems are a priority phase-out area under EU Commission Regulation 2025/1988 and SOLAS.

Tankers calling at EU/EEA ports above 5,000 GT must satisfy FuelEU Maritime well-to-wake intensity standards (first deadline 30 April 2026).

End-of-life tanker recycling under HKC + EU SRR requires Cargo Tank/Cargo Pump Room IHM Part III certification before final survey.

Vessel-Specific IHM Part I, II & III Scope

Tanker IHM Part I must cover cargo-tank coatings, cargo pump-room equipment, deck-foam fire-fighting systems, inert-gas plant components, and crude oil washing system materials. PFAS in deck-foam systems is the highest-risk phase-out item for tanker operators in 2026-2030.

How Varuna Sentinels supports tanker fleets

Our cloud-based VSIMS platform delivers continuous IHM Part I maintenance, automated MEPC.405(83)-compliant Material Declarations, vessel-type-specific sampling templates, IHM Part II & III preparation for end-of-life events, and audit-ready evidence packs for Port State Control inspections. We coordinate with your Recognised Organisation, classification society and recycling yard from the first survey to the final IRfRC.

Tanker IHM — Frequently Asked Questions

What's special about IHM Part I for oil tankers?
Tanker IHM Part I has additional scope around cargo-tank epoxy/zinc coatings, deck-foam firefighting media (often PFAS-containing), inert-gas plant catalysts, and crude oil washing (COW) system gaskets and seals. These items often require dedicated sampling beyond standard IHM scope.
Do chemical tankers face stricter IHM requirements than crude tankers?
Both share the HKC 500 GT threshold, but chemical tankers carry stainless-steel cargo tanks and specialised coatings that introduce additional materials into IHM Part I. Cargo-residue handling for end-of-life recycling is also more complex.
How does FuelEU Maritime affect tanker IHM?
FuelEU Maritime targets fuel GHG intensity, not IHM directly — but alternative-fuel retrofits (LNG, methanol, ammonia) trigger IHM Part I updates for new fuel-system materials. Tankers above 5,000 GT calling at EU/EEA ports must satisfy the well-to-wake intensity from 2025 onwards.
Are deck-foam firefighting systems on tankers PFAS-free yet?
PFOS-containing foams are prohibited from 1 January 2026 under SOLAS Chapter II-2. Broader PFAS in foams is being phased out from 2026 to 2030 under EU Commission Regulation 2025/1988 — replacement fluorine-free foams must meet IMO SOLAS performance standards.
What recycling pathway suits end-of-life tankers?
EU/EEA-flagged tankers must use European List facilities. Other flags can use HKC-certified yards (now including expanded Pakistan capacity, Indian Alang plots, Türkiye and emerging EU yards). Tanker pre-cleaning ('gas-free for hot work' certification) is mandatory before cutting.

Related Resources

Related Vessel Types

If your fleet operates more than one vessel type, browse the dedicated IHM compliance brief for each.

Bulk Carrier IHM BriefView vessel-type compliance guide
Container Ship IHM BriefView vessel-type compliance guide
LNG / LPG Carrier IHM BriefView vessel-type compliance guide
Cruise & Passenger IHM BriefView vessel-type compliance guide
Offshore / OSV IHM BriefView vessel-type compliance guide

Get a Tailored Tanker IHM Compliance Plan

Book a 30-minute call with our IHM specialists. We will review your fleet’s vessel-type obligations, current IHM status and the fastest path to continuous compliance with HKC, EU SRR and MEPC.405(83).

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