The European Commission (EC) has adopted a Recommendation on the safe implementation of the use of low sulphur fuel by ships at berth in ports of the European Community, having recognised that “there may be operational problems and safety risks associated with the use of the required fuels in ships that have not undergone technical adaptations,”.

From 1 January 2010, ships at berth in European Community ports will be
requested to use marine fuels with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.1%
by mass (Article 4b of Directive 1999/32/EC as amended by Directive
2005/33/EC). This has not changed. However, in consideration of their
recent safety concerns, the Commission adopted 21 December 2009 a
Recommendation aimed at Member States, which invites them, while
enforcing the Directive, to consider the existence of detailed evidence
of the steps taken by ships to ensure safe compliance with the
Directive. Member States may consider the existence of an approved
retrofit plan when assessing the degree of penalties to be applied to
non-complying ships.

The cut-off date for this transitional relief will be announced when
the full text of the Recommendation is published (which we are
expecting 28 December)

INTERTANKO intervention

INTERTANKO warmly welcomes this move, coming after five years of
continuous pressure from INTERTANKO, OCIMF and others in the shipping
industry to highlight the potential operational and safety problems of
such a move.

If so requested by a Member during the transitional months, INTERTANKO
is prepared to intervene directly with any government and/or any
charterer creating a problem with any Member who has in place a
programme and timeframe for compliance including a record of
communication with boiler/machinery makers showing a plan for follow-up
action.??

Hazard identification

As part of the detailed evidence required to ensure compliance with the
EU Directive, we believe that tanker owners will be expected to provide
a HAZID assessment document.? INTERTANKO and OCIMF have jointly
published a Guidance booklet which provides a simple check list of
items which should be part of a Risk Assessment and a Hazard
Identification (HAZID) assessment for boiler systems in oil tankers
covering the switching to, and long term-operation on, low sulphur
marine gas oil (LSMGO).

It is strongly recommended that such a HAZID assessment be conducted in
cooperation with the equipment/installation manufacturer or experienced
entity and the classification society of each system type.

Charterparty Issues

Legislation regarding the reduction of sulphur in fuel is of course not
new. Members are reminded of the INTERTANKO Model Clause on Bunker
Emissions for Time Charters, developed when the low sulphur fuel
requirements of MARPOL Annex VI came into force. When our Documentary
Committee produced this clause, it also had the 2005 EU Sulphur
Directive in its sights.

This clause confirms that owners will meet the emission limits in
MARPOL Annex VI and any similar laws or regulations, which would
include the EU Sulphur Directive. Members may wish to amend the clause
to mention this specifically.

The scheme of the clause means that the charterers have an obligation
to provide the vessel with the fuel required to enable the vessel to
comply with emission controls in the ECA. Failure to do so will be a
breach by the charterers, who would then be liable to indemnify the
owners for any resulting losses. Provided the charterers have supplied
the requisite fuel, the responsibility to comply with the emissions
control requirements rests with the owners. Overall it is the owners’
responsibility to ensure that the vessel is fit to trade and can do so
safely within the trading limits laid down in the charterparty.

Our Documentary Committee is considering whether any amendment to this
clause is required to reflect the particular practical issues involved
with compliance with the EU Sulphur Directive. In the meantime we are
happy to assist with the charterparty as well as the technical issues
it raises.

Source: Intertanko

Search to find what you want

• Sweden takes hard line at 0.1% sulfur requirement

    Swedish authorities have taken a tough stance on the implementation of a 0.1% sulphur fuel limit for ships at berth in European Union (EU) ports, which came into effect from January 1, 2010. According to an announcement from the Swedish Transport Agency, the Swedish government has no intention to allow

• u0026quot, ie reducing the speed to arrive in port on time

    ‘Virtual Arrival’ is the name of a concept that the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and INTERTANKO together are working to develop. The primary aim of the project is to reduce actual CO2 emissions

• INTERTANKO is involved with the anti-piracy debate in the Philippines

    A new regulator, with help from INTERTANKO, is aiding the Philippines in developing an anti-piracy course for its seafarers. Read at INTERTANKO gets involved with the anti-piracy debate in the Phillippines

• INTERTANKO implemented GHG reduction plan

    INTERTANKO has compiled a new Guide for a Tanker Energy Efficiency Management Plan (TEEMP) in the drive to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through optimal operational measures for tanker owners. In line with the IMO process to… Read at INTERTANKO implements GHG reduction plan

• IBIA warns of lack of transparency in bunker fuel sulfur content

    The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has warned members of the potential dangers from the failure of suppliers to put authentic sulphur content results on Bunker Delivery Receipts (BDR), especially when operating in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs). Ian Adams, IBIA… Read at IBIA warns of lack of transparency in bunker

• Petrobras Rotterdam opens office

    On Monday 1 February, the Brazilian oil company Petrobras opened an office in Rotterdam. In the “Weenapoint” building, the company and CEO Jos? Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo was welcomed by Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb of Rotterdam and Minister for Foreign Trade Frank Heemskerk. Their presence underlined the importance of the developing

• Shipowners face criminal sanctions in the context of EU environmental directives

    Increasingly demanding EU environmental legislation provides criminal penalties for particular activities by shipowners, operators, masters and crew. A recent directive set out the circumstances in which ship-source discharges of polluting substances constitute a criminal offense. In November and December, three more directives are due to be implemented.

• Port is 2010 low-sulfur switch

    Belgium’s Antwerp Port Authority says its own fleet of tugs and dredgers have switched to low-sulphur gasoil as of January 2010 in order to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. “This type of fuel contains 100 times less sulphur than normal gasoil. The measure will bring an estimated additional cost of

• INTERTANKO expanded access to the terminal Sharing Database

    INTERTANKO has announced that access to Terminal Vetting Database (TVD) is now available to those who are tanker owners/operators, terminal owners/operators, PSC authorities and others with a legitimate interest in improving safety, but who are not members or associate members of the association. Access to the TVD continues to remain

• Lubricity Improver for low sulfur MGO

    The European Union (EU) rule mandating consumption of 0.1% sulphur content marine gasoil (MGO) in port, shipowners are investigating all options to ensure that auxiliary diesel engines and boilers will safely accommodate the new fuel.

• Less air pollution from ships than expected

     There are much lower emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides as well as particles from ships than expected, according to the findings of a new investigation carried out in Denmark. While shipping was expected to count for 68% of sulphur… Read at Less air pollution from ships than expected

• Shell to increase low-sulfur fuel capability

    Shell will build a new hydrodesulphurization plant at its Pernis Refinery in the port of Rotterdam, Europeâ??s largest refinery. Read at Shell to increase low sulphur fuel capability

• Cleaner shipping requirements to meet heating oil market

     New regulations that will force the shipping industry to switch to cleaner fuel could snuff out nearly a quarter of European demand for fuel oil by 2015. The package of measures will add to the woes of the dirtiest and least profitable oil product: sludgy, bottom of the barrel fuel oil left

• Shipping industry sees emissions dilemma

    The inherent difficulty in cutting both toxic emissions from ships and their global warming impact are highlighted in a new study that underlines the incompatibility of these goals. Shipping is estimated to contribute just over 3 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, but this only half the climate-impact

• Curb the pollution, the ship would stoke global warming, study says

    Shipping is slowing climate change by spewing out sunlight-dimming pollution but a clean-up needed to safeguard human health will stoke global warming, experts said. “So far shipping has caused a cooling effect that has slowed down global warming,” Jan Fuglestvedt, of the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research Oslo