A Category 2 tanker is an oil tanker of 20, 000 dwt and above carrying crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil, or of 30, 000 dwt and above carrying other oils which complies with the MARPOL requirement for protectively located segregated ballast tank arrangements;
a Category 3 oil tanker is one of 5, 000 dwt and above but less than the tonnage specified for Category 2 tankers. Depending on their delivery dates, Category 2 and Category 3 tankers must be phased out between 2005 and 2010. A Category 2 or Category 3 tanker of 15 years and over after the date of delivery must comply with the CAS. The flag State Administration may allow a Category 2 or Category 3 tanker to operate beyond 2010 subject to satisfactory CAS surveys, but they must be taken out of service by the anniversary in 2015 of the delivery date or when they reach 25 years of age, whichever is earlier.
