The Ship to Ship (STS) operations plan is a ship specific document for the transfer of crude oil and petroleum products between two ships moored together. 

The plan is prepared in accordance with the standards described in MARPOL Annex I, as amended by Resolution MEPC.186(59), Chapter 8: Prevention of Pollution during Transfer of Oil Cargo between Oil Tankers at Sea, Regulations 40, 41, 42 and using ICS/OCIMF Ship to Ship Transfer Guide [1], IMO Manual on Oil Pollution [2] and other publications as referenced. It is recommended that publications referred to in this STS plan should be kept onboard. 

The STS Plan has been developed taking into account the information contained in the best practice guidelines for STS operations as identified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The STS operations Plan may be incorporated into an existing Safety Management System required by Chapter IX of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, if that requirement is applicable to the oil tanker in question. Any oil tanker subject to this chapter and engaged in STS operations shall comply with its STS Plan.