Classification society DNV on Monday (3 February) shared a statutory news article that provides a summary of the 12th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12).

The following is an excerpt from the news update relating to bunker fuels:

The 12th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12) was held in London from 27 to 31 January 2025. PPR 12 finalized guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling and guidelines on certification of Selective Catalytic Reduction systems. A wide range of other topics was on the agenda, including cargo tank cleaning procedures, carriage of biofuel blends, black carbon, discharge water from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, sewage treatment and marine plastic litter.

Meeting highlights

• Finalized a circular on guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling
• Revised guidelines on certification of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems
• Agreed on an interim circular allowing bunker ships certified as oil tankers to carry biofuel blends containing up to 30% biofuel
• Discussed amendments to MARPOL Annex II on cargo tank stripping, tank washing operations, and prewash procedures
• Continued the revision of MARPOL Annex IV on sewage treatment
• Reviewed the Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships

Safety and pollution hazards of chemicals and preparation of amendments to the IBC Code

Carriage of biofuel blends on bunker ships

Currently, oil tankers are permitted to carry biofuel blends containing up to 25% biofuel, while blends exceeding this limit are restricted to transport on chemical tankers. PPR finalised an interim circular allowing conventional bunker ships certified as oil tankers under MARPOL Annex I to carry biofuel blends containing up to 30% biofuel. The circular is subject to approval by MEPC 83 in April. 

Prewash requirements for FAME  

Due to the physical properties of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and several pollution incidents in the North Sea resulting from tank cleaning after unloading of FAME, PPR 12 considered a proposal to add operational requirement 16.2.7 to the IBC Code entry for FAME. This would mandate a prewash after unloading FAME. The geographical area of concern will be as defined by Regulation 13.9 in MARPOL Annex II, extending from Gibraltar in the south, along the Norwegian coast, including the Baltic Sea, as well as the UK and Ireland. The ESPH Technical Group, reporting back to PPR 13 in 2026, was tasked with further consideration of this proposal. 

Air pollution

Black carbon (BC)

PPR 12 reviewed the “polar fuels” concept based on five key characteristics for discussion: density, viscosity, carbon residue content, cetane index or number, and pour point. However, there was no consensus on recommending distillate fuels as “polar fuels”. ISO provided insights on defining a polar fuel standard and the impact of a proposed pour point requirement, concluding that a maximum 0°C pour point would have minimal global impact.

PPR 12 agreed to further work on the “polar fuels” concept at PPR 13, supported by scientific studies and BC measurement campaigns.

Discharge water from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS)

PPR 12 discussed developing possible regulatory provisions on restrictions of discharge water from EGCS but noted that a global ban was outside the scope its work.

PPR 12 reviewed the terms of reference for the GESAMP Task Team on EGCS, with the aim of developing a methodology for emission factors to ensure a uniform evaluation of regional restriction areas. The draft terms were forwarded to MEPC 83 for approval, with an extension of the target completion year to 2026.

Review of the IBTS guidelines and amendments to the IOPP certificate and Oil Record Book

PPR 12 considered two proposals to amend MARPOL Annex I, aiming to introduce requirements that would recognize forced evaporation of oily bilge water as an acceptable disposal method. However, due to mixed support for the proposals and time constraints, this agenda item was deferred to PPR 13.

Note: The full statutory news article on PPR 12 by DNV can be found here.

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 6 February, 2025