After five months of the implementation of IMO Sulphur Cap, our ‘Sea Sense’ column, in association with the North P&I Club, assesses whether the new measure has managed to enhance maritime safety
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reminds members and interested parties that from March 1st, 2020, all vessels are prohibited from carrying fuel oil with a sulphur content greater than 0.50% m/m.
BIMCO comments on the future fuel oil carriage ban that is demanded from the International Maritime Organization and will come into force on March 1, 2020, assisting those interested on the regulatory aspects of whether on board blending can be considered compliant.
In line with its guidance on how to be sulphur-compliant during a port state control, the North Club issued another guidance assisting seagoing engineers on a safe and efficient switch towards very low sulphur fuel oil.
Although the shipping industry has been preparing for the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap, international maritime law specialist Hill Dickinson comments that it will be a challenging period for litigators as they will have to deal with disputes between owners, charterers and bunker suppliers in cases of non-compliance
The IMO has announced that from January 1 2020, ships will use fuels containing up to 0.5% sulphur, in comparison to the existent measure of 3.5%, unless they are equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems. In light of the upcoming 2020 Sulphur cap, the shipping industry along with the oil and gas sector are preparing for the future changes; Thus, Reuters presents a summary of how the top global refiners are getting ready for the fuel switch.
The newly-published “CIMAC Guideline: Marine fuel handling in connection to stability and compatibility” focuses on the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap and assists owners and provides a practical and working understanding of stability and compatibility of marine fuel oils.
During his presentation at the last GREEN4SEA Conference, Dr. John Kokarakis, Chairman, Greek Section, SNAME, describes the possible reality regarding alternative fuels after the 2020 sulphur cap. Mr. Kokarakis notes that the future economy will be multi-fueled, which is why ship owners must make the right choice for their fleet.
London-based Greek shipowners have urged the IMO to bring together oil companies, marine equipment makers and classification societies to guarantee fuels created to comply with 2020 environmental rules do not damage engines and cause accidents.
As the sulphur cap implementation is imminent in less than 18 months, operators need to worry about many issues as well, other than fuel selection only. In fact, IMO’s decision to implement a 0.50 per cent cap on sulphur emissions has created uncertainty amongst vessel operators, notes Mr. John LaRese, Marine Fuels Technical Advisor, ExxonMobil who discusses the needs for lubricants and fuel switching.
