The Port of Rotterdam will strictly enforce ISO 13739 bunker fuel sampling standards as per information received by the IBIA Secretariat. The Inspectorate for Environment and Transport in the Netherlands will oversee compliance, ensuring that the MARPOL sample is taken via drip sampling from the receiving vessel’s manifold, unless an official waiver is granted.
Key Enforcement Measures
- Mandatory Drip Sampling
- Fuel oil samples must be collected from the receiving vessel’s manifold
- Alternative sampling points require mutual agreement and Inspectorate approval
- Recording & Documentation
- All sample seal numbers and counter seals must be recorded on the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN)
- Additional samples may be taken from the bunker barge sample point
- Implementation Timeline
- Initially, authorities will adopt a flexible approach
- Full enforcement is expected by early 2026, aligning with the Mass Flow Meter (MFM) obligation
This enforcement aims to enhance fuel quality monitoring and ensure compliance with MARPOL Annex VI regulations, reinforcing environmental and operational integrity in Europe’s largest bunkering hub.
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Source: IBIA
