WHAT IS THE VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT (VGP)?

This VGP mandates the use of (EAL) in all oil-to-water interfaces on all merchant vessels of 79 feet (24 meters) or longer that are sailing in US coastal and inland waters

On 19 December 2013, the revised Vessel General Permit (VGP) issued by the United Sates Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came into force. This VGP mandates the use of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL) in all oil-to-water interfaces (for example stern tube seals or thruster seals) on all merchant vessels of 79 feet (24 meters) or longer that are sailing in US coastal and inland waters.