Intertanko has provided us with the following information.

Quote

On 23 August 2006, Teekay Marine Services, accompanied by INTERTANKO, met senior representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard to provide an overview of its Shipboard Effluent Control and Treatment (SECAT) program and to inform the U.S. Coast Guard about the graphitization phenonenon they were experiencing in bilge water piping on some of its ships.

Approximately 20% of its ships had reported black deposits in the bilge water discharge piping downstream of the oily water separator equipment. Onboard testing indicated that the deposits were not oil based. Laboratory testing revealed the deposits to be graphite-based, believed to be the result of corrosion – most likely due to the introduction of stainless steel into a carbon steel piping system. Bonding has significantly reduced or eliminated the deposits in most cases.

In view of the strong emphasis that the U.S. Coast Guard has placed on ships complying with bilge water discharge requirements, there has been significant concern over the possibility of misinterpretation of these graphite deposits as oil by port state control inspectors. To date port state control inspectors have been satisfied with the explanation of these deposits and the documentation provided by Teekay Marine Services.

Unquote

Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.