Tag: IBIA

Scrubber manufacturers are delighted about the 2020 global 0.50% sulphur cap for marine fuels, but there are still some issues to overcome before owners rush to install abatement technology. These include uncertainties caused by the regulatory framework and elements of perhaps unfairly rigid environmental performance demands, EGCSA workshop heard last month.

IBIA says that Singapore is well prepared for mandated use of mass flow metering systems during delivery of marine fuel oil (MFO) from the start of 2017 as almost all the fuel oil barges licenced to operate in the port now have approved systems.

IBIA clarifies issues surrounding the effective implementation of the the 0.5% sulphur cap in 2020. Although we have a date for the global 0.50% sulphur cap for marine fuels under MARPOL Annex VI, there are some unknowns to deal with, there communication will be needed to allow everyone to adopt the strategies that will work best for them, IBIA highlights.

Chinese authorities have unilaterally decided to introduce ECAs in three coastal regions; the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta and Bohai-rim waters. 11 key ports were identified within these three ECAs where the low sulphur requirement would take effect from 1 January 2017.

Even if, in theory, globally there is refining capacity to produce sufficient fuels to meet the 0.50% sulphur cap in 2020, if you take a more detailed look the picture is very different, IBIA reports.

According to IBIA, it will be possible for states that are party to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention to grant exemptions for vessels operating within specific geographical areas from the requirement to manage ballast water under the same risk area (SRA) concept.

IBIA points out that the IMO has adopted a mandatory fuel consumption data collection system for international shipping, requiring ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to start collecting and reporting data to an IMO database from the start of 2019.

Transport Canada has already conducted sulphur tests on “a number of samples” taken from ships calling at ports in the country since beginning a program to verify compliance with the 0.10% sulphur limit in the NA-ECA.

IBIA has welcomed the fact that Danish authorities have investigated and sought to bring to justice fraudulent activities allegedly perpetrated by a bunkering company in the country.

IBIA has announced that work on developing IMO regulations for low flashpoint fuels other than gas has progressed, but took a backseat to other higher priority agenda items at the third session of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers.