- Ships to face detention from 1st March as PSC begins to enforce IMO rule.
- To carry high sulphur fuel, ships need to be fitted with Exhaust Gas Cleaning System.
- Ships without scrubbers carrying non-compliant fuel aboard is enough to prove a violation.
- Major port state regimes have made it plain that they will rigorously enforce the requirements.
Shipowners and operators could face detention of ships, as Port State Control authorities will begin to enforce IMO rule from 1st March, reads a press release published in ICS website.
Carrying High Sulphur Fuel
Port state control authorities will begin to enforce the IMO’s Sulphur 2020 from 1st March.
- Ships are required to be fitted with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System to carry fuel that contains a sulphur content higher than 0.5 percent.
- Otherwise, shipowners and operators could face detention of ships as it is an offense under IMO rule.
Risks with non-compliant fuel
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), reminds shipowners and operators of the impending ban. It also reiterates the fact that any ships found to be non-compliant would face detention.
Proof of usage
- As of March 1st, enforcement agencies will no longer have to prove usage.
- Showing that vessels without Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems have non compliant fuel aboard will be enough to prove a violation.
Major port state regimes including Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), have made it plain that they will rigorously enforce the requirements.
End of Grace Period!
Guy Platten, Secretary General ICS said:
“Since the introduction of IMO 2020 on 1st January, ships have been given a ‘grace period’ while the industry transitions to low-sulphur fuel. As of 1st March this will no longer be the case. Any ship found in non-compliance faces the prospect of serious fines and even detention.”
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
“The International Chamber of Shipping has been made aware that major port State inspection regimes including the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that detention of ships found to be non-compliant is both possible and legally permissible.”
“The information ICS has received is that shipowners are fully compliant and ready for the 1st March. We are simply reminding shipowners and operators that these new rules will come into force as of Sunday 1st March.”
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Source: ICS
