Pilbara Ports has issued a safety bulletin to suggest best practices for vessels equipped with Engine Power Limiters, to ensure safe and smooth operations at the Ports.
As explained, in response to IMO requirements, vessels are increasingly adopting measures to comply with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). This includes retrofitting ships with Shaft Power or Engine Power Limitation (SHaPoLi/EPL) systems.
These systems employ advanced technologies such as load-limiting and automated acceleration limit software programs, mechanical-based governors, or electronic controls to optimize energy efficiency.
As a result, there might be unintended consequences affecting a vessel’s maneuverability during critical times while transiting within the Port Hedland inner harbor and its channel. Navigating through complex pilotage waters like Port Hedland, where several environmental variables come into play, may require immediate access to full maneuvering power from the ship’s main engine.
Therefore, the EPL mechanism used on vessels calling at Port Hedland must be able to be overridden in case of emergency and as per Marine Pilot/Harbour Master request.
Additionally, Behrouz Daei Zadeh, Harbour Master East (Port Hedland), informs that the master of vessels calling at Port Hedland must notify a marine pilot of the following:
- The main engine power and whether EPL is engaged,
- The pilot card must be updated for the main engine power when EPL is engaged and for the main engine’s full power,
- The time required to override the EPL (preferably immediately, but in any case, it should not be more than a few minutes).
- Masters and officers/engineers (as applicable) must be fully trained and informed about Engine Power Limitation and its overriding procedures.
- If a ship’s maneuverability is significantly compromised, the Harbour Master reserves the right to apply additional control measures, including additional escort and/or harbour towage, and tidal/timing restrictions.
To remind, the Australasian Marine Pilot Institute (AMPI) has released a position paper on engine power limiters, presenting key recommendations to ensure compliance and maneuverability. According to AMPI, port Authorities and/or pilotage service providers are recommended to update their pre-arrival information forms and MPIX forms to include some, or all, of the following questions:
- Can the Main Engine/s attain the posted manoeuvring power (RPMs) without delay?
- Does the ship have any EEXI/EEDI Engine Power Limitations for manoeuvring?
- Are you familiar with the override feature for your Engine Power Limiter (if fitted)?
