IBIA is going to submit a proposal to ban carriage of high sulphur fuel ships without scrubbers at the forthcoming IMO Sub-Committe on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 5), scheduled for February 2018. IBIA supports that MARPOL Annex VI raises few questions regarding its enforcement from 2020.
MARPOL Annex VI does not ban a ship from carrying high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO); it only regulates sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions which have to be met either through using low sulphur fuel or cleaning SOx out of the exhaust gas. Although from that date, a ship will be required to bunker fuel with 0.50% sulphur limit, it is no clear what a ship could do in case there is no availability in its bunkering port at the time.
With respect to this , IBIA said that it will put the subject under the microscope for discussion on IMO meeting. IBIA is set to discuss measures to “promote consistent implementation of the 0.50% global sulphur limit” that takes effect from the start of 2020.
A carriage ban on HSFO as bunkers for ships without valid exemptions could make it easier to enforce the global sulphur cap as this can be detected in port, either by document check or by sampling and analysis of the fuel oil, the Association supports.
However, IBIA notes that it is not clear yet how this proposal could be written into the regulation, as it would require changes to MARPOL Annex VI and this usually requires MEPC to specifically approve a “new output” to amend the regulation.
”The question is whether most IMO member states believe the existing regulatory framework is sufficient to ensure that ships comply with the applicable sulphur limits, or whether they believe it is necessary to enhance the ability of PSCOs to take action against non-compliance occurring in international waters, which is currently the responsibility of the flag State.” IBIA stated
”If a HSFO carriage ban is agreed on, there are other considerations too. EGCS is not the only technology solution; other technology solutions may emerge that involves either blending HSFO with very low sulphur fuels onboard, or ship-based desulphurisation. In fact, one company has informed IBIA that it is developing a ship-based desulphurisation unit.” IBIA commented.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: IBIA
