In the 101st session of the Maritime Safety Committee, the International Maritime Organization adopted Interim measures for fuel and ship safety, says a press release published on their website.
What is it?
Following discussion on ship safety issues relating to the implementation of the 0.50% limit of the sulphur content of fuel oil (outside ECAs) and on enhancing the safety of ships relating to the use of fuel oil, the MSC adopted a resolution providing Recommended interim measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of oil fuel.
The resolution highlights existing SOLAS regulations and recognizes the need to further consider oil fuel safety issues.
SOLAS regulation not met by fuel suppliers
It recommends that SOLAS Contracting Governments:
Informing parties
Inform the Organization, for transmission to Parties and Member States of the Organization, of all confirmed cases where oil fuel suppliers delivered oil fuel 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;
Action against supplier
Take action as appropriate against oil fuel suppliers in confirmed cases of deliveries of oil fuel that does not comply with the requirements specified in SOLAS regulation II-2/4.2.1, taking into account regulation 18.9.4 of MARPOL Annex VI;
Guidance for ship safety
encourage the widest possible application of the latest edition of relevant industry standards and guidance to enhance the safety of ships related to supply and use of oil fuel.
Inform the Organization, for transmission to Parties and Member States of the Organization, of confirmed cases where oil fuel suppliers had delivered fuel that jeopardized the safety of ships or personnel; or adversely affected the performance of the machinery.
Flashpoint of oil fuel
The MSC also endorsed an action plan to further consider measures relating to the flashpoint of oil fuel, with a view to finalizing such measures by MSC 104 (2021).
The MSC established a Correspondence Group on Oil Fuel Safety, to:
Reporting of confirmed cases
Consider the development of mandatory requirements regarding the reporting of confirmed cases where oil fuel suppliers have failed to meet the flashpoint requirements of the Organization, taking into account that feedback should also be provided to the supplier;
Appropriate actions taken
Consider the development of mandatory requirements to ensure SOLAS Contracting Governments take action as appropriate against oil fuel suppliers in confirmed cases of deliveries of oil fuel that does not comply with the requirements specified in SOLAS regulation II-2/4.2.1, taking into account regulation 18.9.4 of MARPOL Annex VI;
Proper documentation
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;
Guidelines
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; and submit a report to MSC 102.
MSC-MEPC circular
The 0.50% limit (reduced from 3.50% currently) on the sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil, in force from 1 January 2020 under IMO’s MARPOL treaty, will greatly benefit the environment and human health.
The 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: IMO
