Iceland – Effective ban on use of heavy fuel oil in territorial sea
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%.
On the same day, the permissible sulphur content of marine fuels will be lowered down to 0.5% within the Icelandic Pollution Prevention Zone but outside of the territorial sea. As heavy fuel oil has in most cases a higher sulphur content than 0.5%, this effectively brings a halt to the use of heavy fuel oil around Iceland. Vessels can however continue to burn heavy fuel oil if they use “approved emission abatement methods to reduce the release of sulphur dioxide, which prevent[s] most sulphur emissions into the atmosphere along with soot pollution.”
For additional information, Members can see the full Icelandic Government notice here.
Members are also referred to the Club's Sulphur 2020 resource page for the latest developments on the impending IMO requirements.
You may also be interested in:
On 29 March, China MSA issued their updated Guidance on the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Onboard. This is an update on Version 1.0 issued on 17 March. The UK Club’s Correspondents, Messrs Huatai, have helpfully summarised the amendments in their Circular Ref No.: PNI [2020] 05. The main amendments are the introduction of guidance on crew change operations and precautionary measures to minimise an “overseas epidemic".
The UK P&I Club (“The UK Club”), one of the leading shipping protection and indemnity mutual insurers, today announces its renewal results for 2021.
A thank you to our Members, Brokers and supporters.
The Club recently reported on calls made by various organisations including the IMO, the ILO and the ICAO for urgent action to be taken on crew changes.