Classification society ABS on Saturday (10 June) released a news brief regarding the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) holding its 107th session from 31 May to 9 June, 2023. 

The Brief provides an overview of the more significant issues progressed at the session including bunker-related matters:

DEVELOPMENTS TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF SHIPS’ FUEL 

• Sampling of Oil Fuel for Revised MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS Ch.II-2 
• Amendments Related to Oil Fuel Parameters Other Than Flashpoint – SOLAS Regulation II-2/4.2.1.9 
• Unified Interpretation on Flashpoint Documentation 
• Development of a Safety Regulatory Framework Supporting GHG Reduction from Ships Using New Technologies and Alternative Fuels 
• Interim Guidelines for Ships Using LPG as Fuel 
• Amendments to the IGF Code

Sampling of Oil Fuel for Revised MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS Chapter II-2

The Maritime Safety Committee approved draft MSC-MEPC guidelines for the sampling of oil fuel to ensure compliance with revised MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS Chapter II-2. The joint MSC-MEPC circular aims to create a single sampling process for both conventions to obtain representative fuel samples delivered for use on board ships. These guidelines are based on Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78 and resolution MEPC.176(58). The vessels subject to regulations 5 and 6 of that Annex must record details of fuel oil delivered and used on board. To ensure compliance, the delivered representative fuel oil sample should be accompanied by a bunker delivery note in accordance with regulations. These guidelines also aim to aid in the implementation of flashpoint-related regulations. Sampling serves the purpose of ensuring compliance with Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 and SOLAS Chapter II-2.

The personnel taking the primary sample should be familiarized with the guidelines and sampling equipment. The primary sample should be drawn at the bunker manifold of the receiving ship witnessed by representatives for the receiving ship and supplier or by surveyor mutually agreed acting on their behalf. The fuel delivered to the ship should be obtained at the receiving ship’s inlet bunker manifold and should be drawn continuously throughout the bunker delivery period. A label containing information about the location where the sample was drawn, the date of the delivery, name and grade of bunker, etc., should be secured to the retained sample container and a 600 ml sample size is agreed as sufficient to undertake tests for both flashpoint and sulfur. The retained sample should be kept in a safe storage location, outside the ship’s accommodation, for a period of not less than 12 months from the time of delivery.

Development of a Safety Regulatory Framework Supporting GHG Reduction from Ships Using New

Technologies and Alternative Fuels

While considering steps to decarbonize international shipping, including through the adoption of new technologies and use of alternative low and zero-carbon fuels, there would be a need to ensure that this transition happened in a safe and orderly way. To this scope, the Maritime Safety Committee noted the work under this new output would be continued for many years in the future and that the outcome would need to be constantly updated and established a correspondence group to begin the work for some feasible fuels and technologies. A key task for the correspondence group should be the development of a record for safety obstacles and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may impede the use of the alternative fuel or new technology. 

The Committee agreed to the work to read as “Development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels”, with a target completion year as “continuous”. A correspondence group to progress the work by identifying and updating a list of fuels and technologies was established to support the new output on the new alternative fuels and new technologies for the safe reduction of ship’s GHG emissions and report to MSC 108.

Mutual Understanding on Flashpoint Documentation 

The Committee endorsed the following mutual understanding concerning flashpoint documentation, subject to the entry into force of SOLAS regulation II-2/4.2.1.6: 

The test method will provide a specified temperature when an ignition source produces a “flash” in the sample. If this flash occurs when the sample has been heated to a temperature below 70°C, this temperature should be reported on the bunker delivery note. If, however, the sample is heated to 70°C and then tested without producing a flash, there will not be an actual measured flashpoint temperature to report, but this is sufficient to establish that the flashpoint is above the 60°C minimum and thus allow for a statement to be made that the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70°C. If heating and testing of the sample has been carried out beyond 70°C and produced a flash, there will be a specific temperature that can be reported. 

Interim Guidelines for Ships Using LPG as Fuel 

The Committee approved circular MSC.1/Circ.1666 containing the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using LPG Fuels. These Interim Guidelines will provide an international standard similar to the IGF Code, with each section of these guidelines utilizing a similar organization of specifying goals and functional requirements which form the basis for the design, construction and operation of ships using LPG as fuel. The Interim Guidelines often cross-references the IGF Code, including that the IGF Code parts B-1 (Manufacture, Workmanship and Testing), C-1 (Drills and Emergency Exercises) and D (Training) will apply to ships using LPG as fuel unless expressly stated otherwise

As with the IGF Code, risk assessments will be the basis for designing ships using LPG as fuel safely. The Interim Guidelines contain requirements for several risk assessments beyond those required by the IGF Code. Ventilation safety requirements unique to LPG fuel were introduced in recognition that LPG gas may accumulate at the bottom of rooms or even open deck due to its density. These Interim Guidelines will apply to ships using LPG as fuel to which Part G (Ships using low-flashpoint fuels) of SOLAS Chapter II-1 is applicable and requires compliance with the IGF Code.

Amendments to the IGF Code

Continuing the work from the 8th session of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers, numerous proposed amendments to the IGF Code were approved.

• Amendments to paragraphs 9.6, 9.6.1, 11.6.2, 9.4.7 and 12.5, 13.3 and 6.7.3.1.1 of the IGF Code address venting, pressure relief and ventilation requirements.
• Amendments to paragraph 9.3.1 of the IGF Code focus on failure of the fuel supply essential auxiliaries and accepting a partial reduction in propulsion capability.
• Amendments to part A-1, paragraphs 5.12.1, 6.9.1.1, 9.8.1, 9.8.2, 9.8.4 and to part C-1, paragraph 18.4.1.1.1, of the IGF Code address delivery pressure and a vessel’s bunkering line design pressure.

Moreover, the Committee approved an MSC circular on the early implementation of the amendments to paragraphs 4.2.2 and 8.4.1 to 8.4.3 of the IGF Code with focus on the bunkering manifold and use of a dry disconnect / connect coupling at the bunkering station as well as an emergency release coupler. The amendments to the IGF Code are expected to be adopted at next MSC 108 (Spring 2024).

Note: The full copy of ABS News Brief on MSC 107 can be found here.

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 12 June, 2023