During a visit to Copenhagen in mid-January, IBIA met with several global shipping and bunkering companies who had all started their planning and preparations to be “IMO 2020 ready” at least two years ago, validating a smooth transition to IMO 2020.
Year 2019 was full of events, from discussions on accelerating efforts to protect the environment, the importance of seafarers’ wellness, to gender equality and the women’s role in the shipping sector. Thus, the timeline below, presents how the shipping sector involved this year.
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) informs that a second roundtable industry meeting hosted by IMO at its London Headquarters in Monday, November 18 saw more optimism about the general readiness to meet the 2020 sulphur cap requirement, as compared to the first meeting which took place earlier in June.
A Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) is the standard document required by Annex VI of MARPOL, which contains information on fuel oil delivery. It is the responsibility of the fuel oil suppliers to provide the bunker delivery note, which must remain on the vessel, for inspection purposes, for a period of three years after the fuel has been delivered. But, what information exactly should A BDN include?
The IBIA Annual Convention 2019, which took place on October 22 to 24, focused on the transition to the global low-sulphur regime in light of the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap, while also gathered major shipping stakeholders in discussions on how to bridge the gap to IMO 2020.
IBIA alerts on the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap regulation, reminding the shipping industry that it will mandatory for vessels to have sampling point to be fitted or designated for the purpose of taking representative samples of the fuel oil being used on board the ship.
MEPC 74 concluded on Friday with a comprehensive set of guidelines for the consistent implementation of the 2020 sulphur cap. IMO also approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI relating to enforcement of the 0.50% sulphur limit.
MEPC 74 concluded on Friday with a comprehensive set of guidelines for the consistent implementation of the 2020 sulphur cap. IMO also approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI relating to enforcement of the 0.50% sulphur limit.
As IBIA reports, a standard IMO format for reporting non-availability of compliant fuel oil has been developed, as well as guidance for how such reports should be investigated by authorities. However, there is no resolution yet about how to deal with any bunkers that are over the 0.50% sulphur limit, which remain on board a ship when the carriage ban takes effect.
According to IBIA, a full review of the 2015 Guidelines on Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems needs more time, as only elements regarding malfunction of the EGCS system or a monitoring instrument have been sent for approval by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee in May. MEPC 74 will also discuss about ways to address any potential environmental impact of scrubber discharges to water.
