American Club Issues IMO 2020 Guidance for Its Clients

By
Mfame Editor
-
1219

With less than 3 months remaining for the 2020 sulphur cap regulation the American Club has released a 2020 guidance for its members. The circular available as a press release on their website states that “in view of the fast-approaching IMO 2020 legislation, Members are reminded of some important issues to consider and ensure to have in place prior to January 1, 2020 including preparations for port State control (PSC) inspections” .

Issues To Consider

  1. Bunker contracts and agreements with suppliers to be in place well before 2020;
  2.  Legal review of charter party bunker clauses should be completed;
  3. A documented ship-specific IMO recommended implementation plan as set forth in
    MEPC.1/Circ.878, Guidance on the Development of a Ship Implementation Plan
    for the Consistent Implementation of the 0,50% Sulphur Limit Under MARPOL
    Annex VI;
  4. A Fuel Oil Management Plan to be in place covering:
  • Bunkering procedures including a Bunkering Operation Logbook to be
    available;
  • Sampling procedures, methods, locations, sealing, labeling and instructions for
    handling and retention;
  • Note of Protest forms for delivery issues should be made available;
  •  Chief Engineers should be familiar with post-2020 Bunker Delivery Notes
    (BDNs) and required content;
  • Fuel change-over policies for entering and leaving ECA’s to be fully
    documented and understood by the officers and crew and Fuel Change-Over
    Registration Logbook to be available;
  •  Non-Availability of Compliant Fuels report forms should be available for
    Emission Control Areas (ECAs).

6. Engine builder’s recommendations for consumption of LSFO to be followed and all
engine manuals and all operating instructions updated, including instructions on
the possible use of additives in fuels – both HFO and ULSGO to combat potential
issues with:

  • viscosity;
  • acidity;
  • low flashpoints
  • ignition & combustion quality;
  • increased levels of catalytic fines; and
  • lubricating oil supplier’s recommendations to be ready for implementation.

7. Fuel tanks, sludge tanks, drain tanks, bunkering system etc., are emptied and
cleaned (as necessary) of all high sulfur fuels and sludge;

8. Contingency plans to be in place (carriage of LSGO or LSFO in designated tanks)
in case of scrubber plant malfunction.

9.  Sample points to be fitted to allow sampling when request by PSC. All sample
points to be adequate for location, system pressures and temperatures and
classification society approved.

Members are reminded that bunker related guidance can be found on the Club’s
website at: https://www.american-club.com/page/bunker-fuels The Managers recommend that Members take note of this information and be guided accordingly.

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Source: The American Club