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IMO 2020

BIMCO suggests sulphur implementation plan for ships

Offers pragmatic approach focusing on ‘willful non-compliance’ of sulphur regulations.
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7 years ago

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Manifold Times is publishing the second of five articles attributed to BIMCO in regards to five IMO-submissions the latter co-wrote to IMO this week:

It is a daunting task so prepare a fleet of ships for the sulphur regulations. Therefore, BIMCO has, together with the partners behind a new IMO-proposal, made a draft for an implementation plan for achieving compliance with the 0.5% global sulphur cap. The plan has the additional purpose of showing the good faith of the ship operator during inspections.

The proposal and draft plan was submitted to IMO in advance of the Intersessional Meeting on sulphur implementation July 9-13 together together with Norway, Panama, ICS, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and WSC.

BIMCO suggest that IMO members states encourage the ships flying their flags to develop written implementation plans, to help member states adopt a practical and pragmatic approach when verifying compliance with the requirements of sulphur regulation.

Priority on willful non-compliance
The implementation plan could voluntarily be submitted to authorities, and ships carrying an implementation plan along with a detailed description of how it is being followed should be met with a practical and pragmatic approach during inspections, according to the IMO-submission.

This pragmatic implementation approach would be for a period of three months after 1 January 2020 for those ships which are in possession of an implementation plan.

“The priority of compliance inspections in ports should be on wilful non-compliance with the regulations. Where ships experience technical or operational issues that may lead to accidental and unintended non-compliance, this should be considered differently than wilful non-compliance, and such ships should not face severe measures or penalties,” the submitting countries and organisations additionally said in the proposal.

The draft implementation plan includes planning and preparation for structural modifications (if needed), how many bunker tanks are designated to store low-sulphur fuel and details of purchasing procedure to source compliant fuels, to name a few.

The proposal and draft implementation plan submitted to IMO are as follows:

  • Based on the above discussion, the co-sponsors consider that a standard template for developing ship-specific implementation plans would be of benefit to both ship operators and Administrations. The co-sponsors therefore provide a draft standard template that could be used for the development of a ship-specific implementation plan as provided in the annex to the draft MEPC circular included in the annex to this document.
  • Shipowners and operators could select those sections from the template that are applicable to their ship(s) and use the template to develop their own ship-specific implementation plans. They could then submit these plans for review and endorsement by Administrations.
  • Implementation plans complemented by a record of related actions taken to achieve timely compliance should be used by PSCOs to ascertain how a ship has prepared for compliance and the necessity for detailed inspections. There should be practical and pragmatic approach to verifying compliance on these ships considering that these ships have acted in good faith by doing their utmost to ensure a timely implementation of the 0.50% m/m global sulphur limit.
  • The co-sponsors would stress that submitting the implementation plan for review and endorsement by the Administration should be voluntary. However, it is also recognized that those ships which are not in possession of an implementation plan supplemented by a detailed record of how the plan was followed, will be subject to more detailed inspections in order to verify that the sulphur content of the fuel oil used on board the ship meets the requirement of regulation 14.1.3.

Related: BIMCO proposes changes in sulphur sampling points

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 6 July, 2018
 

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Alternative Fuels

EPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping and DongHwa Entec will collaborate on development and installation of a High-Pressure Compressor for an 18,000 TEU LNG-fuelled container ship.
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Published

3 months ago

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March 12, 2025

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EPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) and marine engineering solutions provider DongHwa Entec (DHE) on Monday (10 March) announced their collaboration on the development and installation of a High-Pressure (HP) Compressor for an 18,000 TEU LNG-fuelled container ship under construction at China’s NTS Shipyard. 

The companies said the initiative marks a significant advancement in LNG fuel gas supply systems, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to sustainability and technological innovation.

This collaboration optimizes the utilisation of Boil-Off Gas (BOG) to enhance fuel efficiency and, in return, significantly reduce environmental impact. With the HP Compressor integrated, the vessel will be able to channel BOG directly into the main engine, minimising emissions and maximising fuel efficiency, a major leap forward in decarbonizing shipping operations.

As a manufacturing-based engineering specialist with expertise in gas fuel supply systems, cargo handling system (CHS) and other gaseous process advanced system solutions, DHE is strengthening its leadership in sustainable marine engineering solutions. 

Its affiliate, DongHwa Pneutec, a recognised leader in compressor manufacturing, traditionally specialised in Low-Pressure (LP) Compressors, will expand its product range to include HP Compressors with this project, broadening its expertise and market reach in advanced LNG technologies.

“This collaboration underscores EPS and DHE’s shared vision for a greener maritime industry, driving innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. By advancing LNG fuel technologies, both companies will stay committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable shipping,” it said.

 

Photo credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping
Published: 12 March, 2025

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Port & Regulatory

MPA informs Singapore shipping community of resolutions adopted at MEPC 82

MEPC 82 was held from 30 September 2024 to 04 October 2024; MPA urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of the resolutions.
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Published

6 months ago

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December 30, 2024

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MPA patrol vessels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Saturday (28 December) issued Shipping Circular No. 18 of 2024 informing shipowners, ship managers, operators, agents and masters of Singapore-registered ships of resolutions adopted at 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82).

MEPC 82 was held from 30 September 2024 to 04 October 2024; MPA urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions:

Resolution MEPC.392(82) – Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (Designation of the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea as Emission Control Areas for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and
Particulate Matter, as appropriate).

This resolution adopts amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocols of 1978 and 1997 relating thereto (MARPOL), Annex VI, to designate the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea as Emission Control Areas (ECA)
for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter. The amendments will enter into force on 01 March 2026 and will be given effect through amendments to the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Air Pollution) Regulations 2022.

The Canadian Arctic ECA will be applicable to ships constructed on or after 01 January 2025, while the Norwegian Sea ECA will be applicable to ships constructed on or after 01 March 2026, including a “three dates criteria” of date of building contract; keel laying date; and delivery date, to be reflected
as amendments to the Supplement to International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPP Certificate).

Resolution MEPC.393(82) – Guidance On Best Practice On Recommendatory Goal-Based Control Measures To Reduce The Impact On The Arctic Of Black Carbon Emissions From International
Shipping

This resolution adopts Guidance on best practice on recommendatory goal-based control measures to reduce the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions from international shipping. It is intended to assist ship operators/companies in their efforts to reduce Black Carbon emissions from
their ships operating in or near the Arctic in measurable and concrete ways.

Resolution MEPC.394(82) – Guidelines On Recommendatory Black Carbon Emission Measurement, Monitoring And Reporting

This resolution adopts Guidelines on recommendatory Black Carbon emission measurement, monitoring and reporting. It specifies recommendations for the measurement, monitoring and reporting of Black Carbon emissions data from marine diesel engines or exhaust gas treatment
systems, in combination or individually, to enhance development of recommendations and regulations to reduce the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions.

Resolution MEPC.395(82) – 2024 Guidelines For The Development Of A Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)

This resolution adopts the 2024 Guidelines for the development of a SEEMP to have a more consistent methodology for fuel oil reporting, taking into account the data collected in the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (IMO DCS) thus far. This resolution revokes Resolution MEPC.346(78).

Resolution MEPC.396(82) – Designation Of The Nusa Penida Islands And Gili Matra Islands In Lombok Strait As A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)

This resolution designates the Nusa Penida Islands and Gili Matra Islands in Lombok Strait as a PSSA, with the Associated Protective Measures (APMs) being the previously established Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) which entered into force on 01 July 2019.

Editor’s note: The full Shipping Circular No. 18 of 2024 document may be obtained from MPA’s official website here.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 30 December 2024

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Port & Regulatory

Philippines to mandate 0.50% sulphur cap for domestic shipping industry in 2025

Domestic shipping firms may extend the compliance deadline based on the Ship-specific implementation Plan timelines, but not exceeding five years.
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Published

6 months ago

on

December 30, 2024

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MARINE IMO 2020 advisory

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Republic of the Philippines will be implementing a 0.50% sulphur cap for bunker fuel consumed by the country’s domestic shipping industry effective 1 January 2025, it said.

MARINA Advisory No. 2024-35, published on 22 October 2024, provided supplemental guidelines on the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of MARINA Circular No. SR-2020-06 “Rules and Regulations on the Mandatory Use of 0.50% M/M Sulphur Limit on Fuel Oil for all Philippine Registered Ships in Compliance to Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78, as amended”.

MARINA MC No. SR2020-06 specifically covers ships which are utilising heavy sulphur fuel oil and are therefore mandated to shift to fuel oil with low sulphur content of .50% in/in or below, effective 01 January 2025, noted the advisory.

Ships which are already using Distillates (MGO, MDO, IDO) or bIends may shift to fuel oil with .50% mass/mass sulphur content and are required to accomplish a Ship-specific implementation Plan (SIP) to be attached to the Ship’s SMS Manual.

The Administration, meanwhile, noted domestic shipping firms may extend the compliance deadline based on the SIP timelines as verified by MARINA, but not to exceed five (5) years.

No extension of deadline shall be allowed if there is no SIP submitted by 01 July 2024.

Editor’s note: The complete MARINA Advisory No. 2024-35 document may be obtained from the official MARINE website here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime Industry Authority
Published: 30 December 2024

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