The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Monday (20 June) published an explainer on IMO’s new flashpoint documentation requirement which was recently approved at MEPC 78 as part of the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI.
Suppliers will be required to include Information about flashpoint of fuel oil on the BDN under draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, in line draft amendments to SOLAS recently approved by the IMO.
The 78th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78, June 6-10) approved draft amendments to appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI, for adoption by MEPC 79.
Appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI, “Information to be included in the bunker delivery note”, already requires sulphur content and density to be documented on the BDN.
The draft amendment will require either flashpoint measured in Celsius (°C) or a statement that flashpoint has been measured at or above 70°C.
What this means in practice is that suppliers will need to provide an actual measured flashpoint value on the BDN, unless the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70°C.
In other words, a statement will be adequate if the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70°C, but suppliers can also provide an actual flashpoint on the BDN for values above 70°C if they choose to do so.
Following the draft amendments to appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI are adopted by MEPC 79, the new flashpoint documentation requirement is expected to enter into force on May 1, 2024.
Prior to making the amendment to requirements for the BDN, MEPC had decided to await the outcome of the 105th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), to see what MSC agreed regarding the flashpoint data to be recorded and reported in relation to safety. MEPC would then draft corresponding draft amendments to appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI.
IBIA submitted a document to MSC 105, commenting on the draft SOLAS amendments with regard to flashpoint. IBIA explained that in practice, fuel oils are typically only tested to determine if the flashpoint is above 70°C, because that is considered to be sufficient to guarantee it is above the 60°C minimum limit in SOLAS. You can read IBIA’s paper MSC 105/5/1 on this link.
Following discussion, MSC 105 approved draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2, including a requirement for a pre-delivery declaration of conformity with regulation SOLAS II.2/4.2.1, and for the ship to receive a BDN with the flashpoint specified, or a statement that flashpoint has been measured at or above 70°C. (More information on this link)
IBIA believes this outcome from MEPC and MSC is better than the original proposals to include flashpoint as mandatory information in the BDN, regardless of the measured value. IBIA has stressed time and again that requiring specified flashpoint values above 70°C is neither necessary not practical in relation to compliance with the 60°C minimum limit for fuel oils required under SOLAS.
Related: IBIA comments on IMO’s GHG strategy to MEPC 78
Related: IMO Update by DNV: Marine Environment Protection Committee – MEPC 78
Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 22 June, 2022
Without IBIA, the perspectives and understanding of the bunker industry may not be heard, writes Unni Einemo, Director of the International Bunker Industry Association.
Green Fuels for Denmark will produce large quantities of sustainable green fuels for road, maritime, and air transport in the Copenhagen area, says Ørsted.
Goldenbeck was Managing Director for Dan-Bunkering’s office in Singapore, and is welcomed back to Middelfart.
Scrubber technology firm explains why 2020 will see a second wave in scrubber orders when shippers seek solutions to the ‘headaches’ of compliant fuel.
Capability rounds out Windward's holistic risk management solution to go beyond traditional maritime data, providing risk insights into maritime firms.
Oil terminal will consist of 11 storage tanks and with a total capacity of 74,400 m3 for maritime products.
Transferred shares of 40 subsidiaries to BVI firm after tribunal awarded claims in favour of Trinity Seatrading; YSPL has also filed a civil complaint against DNV and Liberian ship registry at Nanjing Maritime Court.
ADNOC L&S, Gulf Energy Maritime, Cockett Marine Oil, Mideast/Bahri Ship Management and VPS experts present their views on biofuel bunker hurdles at the VPS Biofuels Seminar in Dubai on 16 March.
‘Bunker barges operate in very local areas so these vessels call at port very often which means it will be a good fit for women with families,’ states Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International.
“Our Singapore branch is under preparation and is expected to start business at the republic before June 2023,” Managing Director Darcy Wong tells bunkering publication Manifold Times in an interview.
Development to supply B35 biodiesel blend officially takes effect on 1 February; local bunker suppliers will be able to deliver updated spec within March onwards, once current stocks of B30 avails run out.
VPS, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and INTERTANKO executives offered a multitude of perspectives to 73 attendees during the VPS Biofuels Seminar, reports Manifold Times.
31 Mar 2023
