In fact, it is said that the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) released work instruction CVC-WI-022 with the aim to provide guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors as well as port state control officers for ensuring vessel compliance with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.
Namely, the work instruction cancels CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-04 Change 1 and includes a Job Aid as an enclosure.
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Specifically, the USCG will continue to enforce the sulfur content limit of 0.10% m/m for fuel consumed onboard commercial vessels within the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Areas (ECA).
The 0.50% m/m sulfur limit in fuel oil requirement will be enforced within U.S. ports outside of either ECA, such as Guam and Western Alaska.
Additionally, the Coast Guard will ensure compliance with the 0.50% m/m sulfur limit for fuel oil used outside either ECA.
Commercial operators using an equivalent means such as exhaust gas cleaning systems- scrubbers- in order to meet MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14 should ensure that the vessel’s equipment is functioning properly.
Now, owners and operators of ships that call in the United States are encouraged to review the contents of CVC-WI-022 and its enclosed Job Aid.
In July, the USCG Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance launched a Marine Safety Information Bulletin, the ‘New Procedure for Shipping Industry to Notify the US Government of Non-Availability of Compliant Fuel Oil.’
The notice concerned owners and operators of vessels operating in the North American (NA) or U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA), that are unable to acquire sufficient MARPOL Annex VI compliant fuel oil at a foreign or U.S. port may satisfy the MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18.2.4 requirement to notify the competent authority of the relevant port of destination by notifying the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP).
Effective June 30, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop accepting Fuel Oil Non-Availability Reports (FONARs).
The marine notice alerted that in possibility of failing to make the notifications required by MARPOL Annex VI, 18.2.4 may result in a vessel control (e.g., detention) and/or enforcement action.
To find out more about the work instruction CVC-WI-022, you can click on the PDF bellow.
