The shipping industry has all eyes firmly fixed on the topic, but what exactly do the “IMO 2020” global sulphur cap regulations say? This guide looks at five highly relevant topics, how to comply and how the regulation will be enforced.
As of 1 January 2020, all ships are required to burn fuel with a sulphur content of no more than 0.5% (Regulation 14.1.3, MARPOL Annex VI) unless fitted with an exhaust gas emissions cleaner (scrubber) capable of reducing sulphur emissions to 0.5% or less (Regulation 4, MARPOL Annex VI). Regulation 4 also allows for the use of alternative fuels. This means that before midnight on 31 December 2019, ships must take on board enough 0.5% fuel to be able to reach their next bunkering port after the new regulation comes into force.
Apart from ships that have scrubbers, all other ships that have “residual” fuel with a sulphur content higher than 0.5% on board will have to remove it. A total ban on the carriage of residual fuel (excluding ships operating scrubbers) will come into force on 1 March. After this date port state control will check ships’ bunker tanks for non-compliant fuel.
Scrubbers are permitted by Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, but no technical requirements are given. Three main designs are available: open, closed and hybrid. Open loop scrubbers use and discharge seawater as part of the scrubber process and their use may be restricted in some waters. This means that a ship will need to carry a stock of compliant 0.5% fuel when the scrubber cannot be used.
The 2020 global cap will apply to all ships flying the flag of a state that has ratified MARPOL Annex VI and/or calling at a port or passing through the waters of a state that has ratified the Convention. In real terms this means that the Sulphur cap will apply to 96% of the world’s fleet. How the cap will be enforced will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and it will be left to each port state to determine the level of fines imposed and if ships will be detained. Ships should monitor and maintain a log of exhaust emissions. A failure to properly maintain the log or make false entries is likely to be considered a non-compliance by port state control and other authorities, even if exhaust emission levels are within limits. After the ban on ships carrying fuel with a sulphur content greater than 0.5% comes into force in 2020, port state control is likely to survey bunker tanks to check compliance.
Developing a ship-specific implementation plan is necessary to prepare for 1 January 2020. Such a plan should cover issues such as:
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
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