Tag: HFO

The International Council on Clean Transportation issued five briefing papers, prepared by PhD Bryan Comer, summarizing HFO use in the IMO Polar Code Arctic, for 2015. Analyzing data for the cruise sector, the paper reveals 40 of 62 cruise ships operated on HFO in the region in 2015, with most HFO-fueled cruise ships flying the Bahamas flag. 

ICCT issued five briefing papers summarizing HFO use in the IMO Polar Code Arctic, for 2015. While ships registered in Russia consumed the most HFO by far in the region in 2015, followed by Denmark and South Korea, Russian-flagged fishing vessels emitted about 10 tonnes of BC, 10-times more than Denmark and South Korea.

There are eight Arctic states; however, ships that operate in the Arctic fly many flags. Summarizing the use and carriage of HFO in the IMO’s Polar Code Arctic by flag state, an ICCT report finds that Russian-flagged ships consumed the most HFO by far in the area in 2015, distantly followed by Canada and Denmark.

ICCT, issued five briefing papers summarizing HFO use in the IMO Polar Code Arctic, for 2015. Analyzing data per ship type, the paper noted there were 17 ship types operating in the area in 2015, with bulk carriers, fishing vessels, and general cargo vessels accounting for the greatest number of HFO-fueled ships. 

MEPC 72nd session will take place from 9 to 13 April 2018, at IMO Headquarters in London. MEPC 72 will focus on five key issues: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships; Implementation of sulphur 2020 limit; Ballast water management treaty implementation; Measures to reduce risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil as fuel by ships in Arctic; and Marine litter.

The German ports Bremen and Bremerhaven have cooperated in a campaign to ban heavy fuel oil (HFO) from Arctic shipping, along with more than 80 companies, organisations, politicians, NGOs and explorers. bremenports signed the Arctic Commitment to eliminate heavy fuel oil in Arctic shipping, and called other ports to join as well.

To address the impact of Black Carbon emissions from shipping on the Arctic, IMO has been developing a definition for black carbon, to find the best methodology for measuring black carbon, and identifying abatement options. The following infographic outlines some of the most effective abatement options and presents their advantages and and disadvantages, based on the most recent scientific literature.

In order to improve ship standards, the International Group of P&I Clubs informed that it will continue to conduct survey triggers for seagoing vessels of 10 years of age or more carrying HFO. Operators should have in mind that a declaration is now required.

Many shipping companies, such as Maersk, Hapag Lloyd and Klaveness, will adopt low sulphur fuels, while some fuel companies are to sell a more expensive, 0.5% sulphur product, while hoping for low numbers of scrubber installation. However some operators claim that  installing scrubbers is the cheapest option.

Revealed at the Arctic Frontiers conference in January 2017 by the Clean Arctic Alliance, the Arctic Commitment aims to protect Arctic communities and ecosystems from the risks posed by the use of heavy fuel oil, and calls on the IMO to ban its use and carriage as fuel by Arctic shipping.