Tag: Emission Control Areas (ECA)

A tool to assist with strategic planning for SOX compliance with MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14 Lloyd's Register (LR) recently introduced an ECA Calculator, a tool which is claimed to assist with strategic planning for SOX compliance with MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14.At present, the majority of vessels choose to comply with the current 1% ECA requirement by operating with a fuel of lower sulphur content where required. In the majority of cases this is residual fuel oil.In the future, however, in order to meet the 0.10% and 0.50% maximum allowable sulphur contents required within an ECA from 2015 onwards and in all other areas from 2020/2025 respectively, distillate fuel is likely to be used.Crucially, however, MARPOL Annex VI allows, under Regulation 4, the use of an equivalent compliance method, which is at least as effective in terms of emissions reduction as the levels required by regulation 14 (which limits the sulphur content of fuel). One of these methods is the use of an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS).As a result of the current and impending situation, (ie 2015 = 0.10% limit within an ECA and 2020/2025 = 0.50% outside an ECA) operators may need to evaluate their position in ...

Linea Messina is the first ever vessel to operate commercially with a scrubber system Hamworthy Krystallon, the world leading marine scrubbing technology manufacturer, announced that the first of four vessels installed with the company's seawater scrubbers for leading Italian ship owner Ignazio Messina & Co has come on line.Linea Messina is the first ever vessel to operate commercially with a scrubber system, enabling Ignazio Messina to meet 0.1% sulphur emissions regulations in EU ports, as well as "future-proofing" the vessel for the impending 2015 0.1% Emission Control Area (ECA)."This is a landmark moment, not just for Hamworthy Krystallon, but the entire shipping industry," said Sigurd Jenssen, Managing Director, Hamworthy Krystallon. "Bringing Linea Messina on line highlights the validity of scrubbing technology as a viable and cost-effective solution to meet the stringent sulphur emissions regulations, that are serving to transform the shipping industry.By 2015, ship owners and operators operating in ECAs will have a simple choice - either pay the $300 to $400 price differential for costly distillate fuel or install a scrubber, which typically has a payback of less than 2 years. Messina has shown what the smart choice is." continued Jenssen.Ignazio Messina placed the world's first commercial order for ...

Vessels have to comply with a 0.1% limit on fuel sulphur content Trade association Interferry says that ferry operators in northern Europe face a near-impossible choice in trying to meet the 2015 deadline for ultra-low sulphur emissions from bunker fuel.The association also warns that the low-sulphur legislation will prompt an environmentally damaging modal shift from short-sea to overland transport and pose severe financial implications for the overall European economy.Under pending IMO and soon to be agreed European Union (EU) environmental requirements, vessels operating in the Baltic, North Sea and Channel Emission Control Areas (ECAs) will have to comply with a 0.1% limit on fuel sulphur content.Interferry says it acknowledges ferry operators' responsibility to reduce emissions and supports the move to lower sulphur limits globally by 2020 - but claims that the 2015 timescale is 'mission impossible´ due to unsustainable cost increases. It argues that, despite the ferry industry's efforts to develop alternative technologies and feasible alternative fuels, abatement technologies and financial support will not be available or sufficient enough to avoid a modal shift from sea to road. These alternatives are the elements in a 'toolbox' of technical and financial solutions proposed by the European Commission (EC).The toolbox suggests the ...

IBIA members concerned residual fuel produced in the Middle East currently exceeds the 3.5% limit Major bunker supplier and trader OW Bunker has assured its customers of sufficient availability of IMO compliant fuel after 1 January 2011 despite concerns over supply, particularly in the Middle East.DNV Petroleum Services has recently warned that suppliers will face a challenge in meeting the demand for fuel oil with a sulphur content of 3.5%. This follows the Marpol Annex VI regulation that will see the global sulphur content of fuel oil reduced from 4.5%. The global sulphur limit applies to all waters other than Emission Control Areas (ECAs), where fuel oil with a sulphur content of 1% must be used.Also, at the recent International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) annual convention in Barcelona, several IBIA members pointed out that much residual fuel produced in the Middle East currently exceeds the 3.5 per cent limit. They were worried that, since none of the countries in the region are signatories to Marpol Annex VI, there might be nothing in place to force suppliers there to provide IMO compliant fuel. The general expectation at Barcelona was that bunker fuel taken on in the Middle East would continue to ...

Bunker industry to become more involved in the ongoing discussions on LNG as a fuel at IMO The International Bunker Industry Association's (IBIA) board has taken a formal decision to "become more closely engaged in LNG matters". The move was announced at last week's IBIA's Annual Convention, held in Barcelona, by its acting chief executive Trevor Harrison. He told delegates that the association would become more involved in the ongoing discussions on LNG as a fuel at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).The potential of LNG as a fuel for merchant ships received considerable attention. Several speakers referred to the issue while addressing industry concerns about the 2015 implementation of the 0.1% sulphur content cap in bunkers used within Emission Control Areas (ECAs). In addition one session was entirely devoted to the prospects for widespread use of LNG.While there were some cautionary voices, the focus on LNG reflected IBIA's considered view that now is the time for the bunker industry to become involved in the development of gas powered ships. IBIA board member Nigel Draffin is to work closely with the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) to provide input into the development of IMO's Code for Gas ...

EU has proposed 0.1% sulphur cap to take effect in 2015 New regulations really need to be thought over carefully and exposed to the most rigorous cost-benefit analysis. It is often said that legislation concocted in haste will be inevitably regretted by its recipients and that those making regulations need always to consider "the Law of Unintended Consequences", which will often catch out those who have allowed their enthusiasm for legislation to get the better of them.Perhaps it has been taking rather too long to build up a head of steam, but the opposition to the proposed EU 0.1% sulphur cap due to take effect in 2015 within the European Emission Control Areas seems to be growing very fast. Ferry and short sea operators in particular have been doing their research and are, as a result, better equipped to forecast the consequences of this drastic reduction of sulphur content in fuel oil, due to become mandatory.Speaking to the UK House of Commons Transport Committee recently, the UK interest group Maritime UK told MPs that the proposals are likely to increase bunker costs by nearly 90% and will almost certainly add some GBP 3.6 billion per annum to the operating costs ...

Owners and EMSA disagree at industry convention The IBIA Convention in Barcelona opened on Tuesday with two keynote speakers putting forward opposing views on impact of the 2015 0.1% sulphur cap in emission control areas (ECAs). Manuel Carlier, director general of the Spanish Shipowners' Association (ANAVE), and a director of the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA), put forward owners' concerns. Arnaud Leroy Senior Project officer European Maritime Safety Agency, and working with the European Commission (ECs) on the Marine Fuels countered with the case for continuing with its proposals which in some respects exceed IMO ECA requirements.Mr Carlier said that it was likely that bunker costs for ship operators would increase by between 70% and 100% while operating in ECAs and that there would be a total increase in operating costs 25% to 40%. He asked: "Can this cost be passed to customers in the freight market?He said that while scrubber equipment suppliers claimed success in pilot applications and tests installing this equipment would only be cost efficient for new ships operating exclusively or mainly in ECAs.He noted the possibility of using LNG and that dual fuel engines had proved successful in large LNG tankers. He said that the methane ...

To 3.50% M/M from 1 January 2012 On 1 January 2012, the MARPOL Annex VI global fuel sulphur limit for fuel oil will be reduced from 4.50% m/m to 3.50% m/m.From this date, ships using fuel with sulphur content greater than 3.50% m/m in MARPOL Annex VI signatory countries and their territories will be in violation of the said regulation, unless they are equipped with abatement technologies with proven capabilities for reducing SOx emissions to the required levels.When ordering fuel oil which is not expected to be fully consumed before 1 January 2012, please consider specifying the maximum fuel sulphur limit at 3.50% m/m.Please further note that from 1 August 2012, the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) will be enforced, joining the existing Baltic Sea and North Sea/English Channel ECAs. The maximum sulphur limit for bunkers used in the ECAs currently stands at 1.00% m/m.Finally, when sailing in the European Union territories, fuel sulphur requirements specified in the EU Directive 2005/33/EC shall be applicable; for example, the use of fuel with maximum 0.1% sulphur content in EU Community Ports and inland waterways.Source: DNVPS

Carnival UK backs 'averaging' proposal to meet ECA regulations David Dingle, chief executive of Carnival UK, said that, in response to the 0.1% sulphur content cap in emission-controlled areas (ECAs) in 2015, cruise ships would sail more slowly and would need to call at new and fewer portsIn an interview with Travel Trade Gazette he is quoted as saying: New ships will go down the route of creating more variety onboard, as calling at lots of ports becomes less possible . If you look at our order bookings across our brands for new ships, you can see that they are bigger than the existing ships we have.Mr Dingle also said he backed a proposal by the Cruise Lines International Association which has proposed a way of allowing ships to use higher sulphur fuels in once the 0.1% sulphur content cap comes in to force.According to Mr Dingle, the director of environmental and health programmes at CLIA, Bud Darr, is proposing an interpretation of the IMOs fuel rules that advocates the averaging principle - where ships would be able to burn higher-sulphur fuels as long as the average emission impact for the entire journey does not surpass the overall limit. Travel ...

Findings suggest that a more mature enforcement of sulphur regulations has developed DNV Petroleum Services conducted a market survey covering the technical, regulatory and supply experiences of ship operators in managing their fuels last year.We attempted to capture their views on the critical fuel management issues in 2011. From the responses of 96 customers and business associates, we are pleased to present a summary of the key findings, as well as our conclusions.Respondent ProfileThe survey responses were received globally. About 50% of the respondents were from Technical departments, 15% from Operations and 18% represented Management. About 60% of the respondents are involved in fuel purchasing.Some 73% of the respondents have ships trading in the Emission Control Areas (ECA).The survey findings suggest that a more matured enforcement of the sulphur regulations in Europe has developed, with ship operators gradually becoming adapted to the requirements in the EU and the Emission Control Areas.About 64% of the respondents felt there has been an improvement in the Port State Control enforcement of fuel sulphur regulations over the past 12 months. Of the 15% who said they have had problems with fuel regulations when trading in the EU and the ECAs, these problems were mainly ...