In a recent development, the IMO’s MSC adopted a resolution providing recommended interim measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of oil fuel last month, reports the Tanker Operator.
This followed a discussion on ship safety issues relating to the implementation of the 0.5% limit of the sulfur content of fuel oil (outside ECAs) and on enhancing the safety of ships relating to the use of fuel oil.
What’s in the resolution?
The resolution highlights existing SOLAS regulations and recognises the need to further consider oil fuel safety issues. It recommends that SOLAS contracting governments –
- Inform the IMO, to advise parties and member states of all confirmed cases where suppliers delivered fuel oil failing to meet the requirements specified in SOLAS regulation II-2/4.2.1, taking into account regulation 18.9.6 of MARPOL Annex VI;
- Take action as appropriate against fuel suppliers in confirmed cases of oil deliveries that do not comply with the requirements as specified;
- Encourage the widest possible application of the latest edition of relevant industry standards and guidelines to enhance ship safety related to supply and use of oil fuel; inform the IMO of confirmed cases where suppliers had delivered fuel that jeopardized ship safety or personnel; or adversely affected machinery performance.
Fuel Flashpoint Measures
The MSC also agreed an action plan to further consider measures relating to the fuels’ flashpoint, with a view to finalising such measures by MSC 104 (2021).
A correspondence group was set up on oil fuel safety to –
- Further consider the development of mandatory requirements regarding the reporting of confirmed cases where suppliers have failed to meet the flashpoint requirements of the IMO, taking into account that feedback should also be provided to the supplier;
- Further, consider the development of mandatory requirements to ensure SOLAS contracting governments take action as appropriate against suppliers in confirmed cases of deliveries that do not comply with the requirements;
- Further consider the development of mandatory requirements regarding the documentation of the flashpoint of the actual fuel batch when bunkering, providing a statement that the oil fuel delivered complies with SOLAS regulation II-2/4.2.1;
- Further consider the development of guidelines for ships to address situations where they have indicative test results suggesting that the oil fuel supplied may not comply with SOLAS regulation II 2/4.2.1;
- Collect information on possible measures related to oil fuel parameters other than flashpoint.
MSC concurrently approved an MSC-MEPC circular (already approved by MEPC 74) on delivery of compliant fuel oil by suppliers.
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Source: Tanker Operator
