The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has been working to reduce the harmful impacts of shipping on the environment, setting progressively stricter limits on the sulphur content of fuel oils used by vessels. Failure to comply with these new rules can lead to substantial fines.
Recently, the IMO has adopted a 2008 resolution that introduces a reduced global sulphur cap on marine fuels. The current global limit of 3.5% mass/mass (m/m) shall decrease to 0.5% m/m from 1 January 2020.
While the new regulation has been welcomed by all, there are challenges in ensuring its full compliance and enforcement. This page is dedicated to provide Members with the resources necessary to overcome these challenges.
The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) set 1st of January 2020 as entry-into-force date of the 0.50% m/m global sulphur in marine fuel cap at its 70th session on 24th - 28th October 2016. In preparation for implementation of the limit, extensive work has been carried out by IMO and recently by its Intersessional Working Group that met during 9th -13th July 2018.
The attached PDF Circular from the UK Club Correspondents details how all Ports within the three ECAs in China will be implementing the Low Sulphur Fuel Requirement from 01.01.2018.
Air pollution from maritime transport is a global environmental concern. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been working to reduce the harmful impacts of shipping on the environment, but as highlighted in the attached Legal Update, challenges for compliance and enforcement in regards to Sulphur emissions still remain.
From 1 September 2017, in Jiangsu and Zhenjiang provinces, the requirement of all ships at berth (1 hour after arrival and before departure are excluded) using low sulphur bunker (not exceeding 0.5%mm) is geographically expanded from the major ports to all ports within these two provinces.
The Club has been advised by our local correspondents that the Korea Coast Guard (former Ministry of Public Safety and Security) issued a notification stating that they have amended the regulations on the imposition and collection of oil spill response costs on 30th June, which will take effect on 1st September 2017.
Hong Kong will introduce their own regulation to require vessels plying Hong Kong waters to use cleaner fuel from January 2019 to complement the efforts under the PRC's Ministry of Transport's action plan for the Hong Kong, Macau and PRD (Pearl River Delta).
