Sulphur content of fuel oil must not exceed 1.0% by weight
The North American ECA will enter into force on 1 August 2012 and includes areas around the Hawaiian Islands but does not include the US Caribbean Sea ECA, which will enter into force on 1 January 2014. The geographical limits of the North American ECA can be found in Appendix VII of MARPOL Annex VI and in IMO Circular MEPC.1/Circ.723.1
The sulphur content of fuel oil used on board vessels operating within the North American ECA must not exceed 1.0% by weight on or after 1 August 2012. As an alternative to using low sulphur fuel oil, shipowners and operators may choose to equip their vessels with exhaust gas cleaning devices (scrubbers) in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 4 and the corresponding emission value for a fuel oil sulphur content of 1% is a ratio of 43.3 SO2(ppm)/CO2.
Further information can also be found in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fact sheet: Designation of North American Emission Control Area to Reduce Emissions from Ships
For vessels visiting Californian ports special requirements apply within 24 nautical miles (nm) of the California Baseline (shoreline). Reference is made to Gard Alert “Amendments to California Clean Fuel Regulations” issued on 1 December 2011for details
Interim guidance on the non-availability of compliant fuel oil for the North American ECA
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that they do expect fuel oil compliant with the 1.0% sulphur standard to be available for vessels that plan to operate in the North American ECA – but also anticipates that, despite the best efforts2 of the shipowner or operator, they may in some instances be unable to ensure compliance. The EPA has therefore released interim guidance for shipowners and operators to:
1) provide background information on the North American Emission ECA fuel sulphur standards;
2) explain in what way compliance with these requirements can be established as well as how to demonstrate compliance if requested to do so by the United States government; and
3) describe how to make a fuel oil non-availability claim should the vessel not be able to obtain compliant fuel.
Click here to access the full text of the EPA statement and the interim guidance.
Source: The Gard P&I Club
