IMO 2020

IBIA contributes to IMO 2020 ship implementation plan

SIP can be filled in by ship owners/operators to help plan for IMO sulphur compliance by 2020.

Published

7 years ago

July 23, 2018

Admin

Unni Einemo of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) shares how the organisation is supporting the development of the ship implementation plan at IMO to help ship owners/operators prepare for the upcoming 2020 sulphur limit:

An IMO working group meeting has developed a ship implementation plan (SIP) supported by information documents as part of the work to provide guidance on preparatory and transitional issues leading up the 0.50% sulphur limit for marine fuels from 1 January 2020.

It was agreed ahead of the intersessional working group (ISWG) meeting of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) last week, tasked with developing guidelines to support the consistent implementation of the 2020 sulphur limit, that these aspects needed to fast-tracked so they can be approved by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in October this year.

The SIP, which is not mandatory, can be filled in by ship owners/operators to help them plan and demonstrate the steps taken by ships to prepare for compliance with the 0.50% sulphur limit on 1 January 2020. This includes aspects such as modifications to fuel oil systems and tank cleaning if needed, fuel oil capacity and segregation capability, and bunkering plans in the lead-up to the compliance date.

In addition to the SIP itself, there is an appendix addressing the impact on machinery systems, containing advice on how to prepare for use of distillates, fuel oil blends, or both, as the compliance option for the 0.50% sulphur limit. The document focuses on any adjustments and changes that may be required or advisable on the ship ahead of the implementation date, rather than on-going operational aspects, which are expected to be detailed in guidance documents that are still under development.

A second appendix to the SIP relates to tank cleaning, which is based on a document submitted by IBIA to the ISWG describing options available for cleaning fuel oil tanks and systems.

IBIA’s document highlighted both operational risks to ships and the risk of non-compliance with the 0.50% sulphur limit if ships choose to simply load compliant fuels into tanks and that have held high viscosity high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) because the compliant fuels could act as solvents causing HSFO sediments and asphaltenic sludge to rapidly dissolve.

Some shipping organisations at the meeting were concerned, however, that the document from IBIA, as submitted, could be seen as creating an expectation that tank cleaning is a pre-requisite, and wanted to make it clear that flushing through the fuel system with compliant fuels until it is sufficiently clean to be compliant is also an acceptable option.

They proposed a shortened version of IBIA’s tank cleaning guidance document as an appendix to the SIP set for approval at MEPC 73 in October. The appendix highlights that options for preparing HSFO tanks for compliance include flushing through fuel systems (i.e. not cleaning tanks first), manual cleaning of tanks during dry docking, manual cleaning during service, and cleaning tanks in service with specialised additives.

IBIA’s original document, which describes tank cleaning options for ships, and approximate timelines associated with each method, is available to IBIA members by contacting Tara Morjaria on [email protected]

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 24 July, 2018

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.

Published

1 month ago

March 12, 2025

Admin

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

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.

Published

4 months ago

December 30, 2024

Admin

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

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.

Published

4 months ago

December 30, 2024

Admin

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