CAS CAP ESP

Answer

Comparative Overview

Parameter	CAS (Condition Assessment Scheme)	CAP (Condition Assessment Program)	ESP (Enhanced Survey Programme)
Legal Status	Mandatory Statutory Scheme (IMO MEPC.94(46))	Voluntary Commercial Scheme (Class Society program)	Mandatory Statutory Code (2011 ESP Code / SOLAS XI-1/2)
Applicable Vessels	Category 2 & 3 Oil Tankers ($\ge 5,000\text{ DWT}$)	Older vessels ($\ge 15\text{ yrs}$; Tankers, Bulkers, Gas Carriers, Containers)	All Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers ($\ge 500\text{ GT}$)
Trigger / Frequency	Reaching 15 years of age; concurrent with Intermediate/Renewal ESP survey	Requested by Shipowners, Charterers, or Oil Majors (SIRE / OCIMF)	Continuous lifetime cycle (at every 5-year Special Survey & Intermediate Survey)
Primary Focus	Hull structural integrity for continued operation up to phase-out	Commercial grade assignment for Hull, Machinery, Electrical, Cargo Systems	Comprehensive structural monitoring & corrosion prevention
Key Output	Statement of Compliance (SoC) issued by Flag Administration	CAP Rating Certificate (CAP 1 to CAP 4 rating)	ESP Executive Hull Summary File & Class Condition

Detailed Breakdown

STATUTORY VS COMMERCIAL SCHEMES

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CAS CAP ESP

(Mandatory / MARPOL) (Voluntary / Commercial ) (Mandatory / SOLAS)

Focus: Tankers >15 yrs Focus: Overall Condition Focus: Bulkers & Tankers

Flag Statement Issued Class Rating (1 to 4) Executive Summary File

A. CAS (Condition Assessment Scheme)

Regulatory Reference: MARPOL Annex I, Regulations 20 & 21; IMO Resolution MEPC.94(41) / MEPC.94(46) as amended.
Scope:
- Applies to single-hull or double-bottom oil tankers of $5,000\text{ DWT}$ and above aged 15 years and over.
- Assesses cargo tanks, ballast tanks, pump rooms, pipe tunnels, and void spaces.
Key Requirements:
- Strict planning timeline: Survey planning questionnaire issued 8 months prior to survey start.
- Conducted by at least two qualified exclusive surveyors from the RO.
- Detailed ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM), close-up structural inspection, and coating assessment.
Final Authorization: Survey documentation is reviewed directly by the Flag State Administration, which issues the 5-year Statement of Compliance (SoC).

B. CAP (Condition Assessment Program)

Regulatory Reference: Non-statutory, commercial quality scheme managed by Classification Societies (e.g., IRS CAP, DNV CAP).
Scope:
- CAP Hull: Ultrasonic thickness gauging, non-destructive testing (NDT), structural stress analysis.
- CAP Machinery & Electrical: Main engine performance analysis, vibration monitoring, thermographic imaging, boiler/generator insulation testing, oil analysis.
- CAP Cargo Systems: Integrity testing of cargo pumps, safety systems, IG systems, and pipelines.
Rating Scale:
- CAP 1: Very Good / Superior condition (minimal wear, equal to new-build standards).
- CAP 2: Good condition (substantially above minimum class requirements).
- CAP 3: Satisfactory condition (meets minimum class standards).
- CAP 4: Unsatisfactory condition (below class standards).

C. ESP (Enhanced Survey Programme)

Regulatory Reference: IMO Resolution A.1049(27) (2011 ESP Code as amended), mandatory under SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 2.
Scope: Applies to all bulk carriers, ore carriers, oil tankers, and chemical tankers carrying oil-like cargoes.
Mandatory Requirements:
1. Survey Programme: Detailed inspection plan prepared by the shipowner and approved by Class prior to survey start.
2. Close-up Surveys & Thickness Gauging: Extensive mandatory close-up access (staging, rafts, cherry pickers) for critical structural areas (transverse bulkheads, frames, hopper tanks).
3. Coating Evaluation: Hard coating condition categorized as GOOD, FAIR, or POOR. If POOR, re-coating is mandatory or annual re-examinations are enforced.
4. ESP Executive Summary File: Document binder kept on board containing all past survey reports, thickness gauging results, repair histories, and structural evaluations for the ship's entire lifespan.