Industry Guidance on Compliance with the Sulphur ECA Requirements

From 1 January 2020, the new 0.5% m/m global limit for sulphur in fuel used on board ships comes into effect. Parties in the bunker chain i.e. those involved in the production, distribution, storage, handling and use of bunker fuels have expressed concerns over the practical implementation of this new global limit, a substantial drop from the current 3.5% m/m. A Joint Industry Project (JIP) was therefore established to raise awareness of the issues which might arise.

The International Group and CINS have issued revised joint industry guidance on the carriage of Calcium Hypochlorite by sea (first publication in May 2016) that now takes account of the package limit of 100lb drums under US measurement as well as the previously stated package limit of 45kg net weight.

The Government of Iceland have issued a news release stating that, effective 1 January 2020, the permissible sulphur content of marine fuels used in the territorial sea and internal waters of Iceland will be lowered from 3.5% to 0.1%.

When Members face a serious incident which could lead to litigation, they should immediately contact their local P&I Club representative and begin collecting evidence; this article will assist Members with this task.