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KR: South Korea to enforce first phase of 0.10% sulphur Emission Control Area in Sept

KR: South Korea to enforce first phase of 0.10% sulphur Emission Control Area in Sept

31 Aug 2020

Korean classification society Korea Register has published a notice on the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ first stage of 0.10% sulphur Emission Control Areas which comes into effect on Tuesday, 1 September, 2020.

For now, the regulation applies to ships anchored or moored, but from 1 January 2022, ships will be required to use fuels with no more than 0.10% sulphur when navigating in the designated ECAs.

The Emission Control Areas listed are:

Each port area and nearby sea area of the Incheon Port(Including Kyongin Port),
Pyeongtaek·Dangjin Port
Yeosu Port
Gwang-yang Port(Including Hadong port)
Busan Port
Ulsan port

A summary of the regulations are as follows:

From 1st September 2020, ships at berth or at anchor in the Korea SECA will be required to use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10 %.

- Ships should be completed the fuel oil change over to 0.10% low sulphur fuel oil, within 1 hour after completing anchoring or mooring and will have to continue using compliant fuel up to 1 hour before completion of heaving in anchor or deberthing.

From 1st January 2022, ships should be completed fuel oil change over to 0.10% low sulphur fuel oil, at the entrance in Korea SECA, and will be required to continue use compliant fuel while they are inside the designated Korea SECA.
Despite the above, the use of EGCS(Exhaust Gas Cleaning System) compliance with MARPOL requirements instead of using 0.10% low sulphur fuel oil is allowed. (No restrictions on washwater for open-loop scrubbers)

Vessels are also required to keep an accurate record of fuel changeover procedures onboard for one year from the date of fuel oil supplied.

Violations of the sulphur limit carry a jail term with labor for up to one year or a maximum fine of KRW 10 million (USD 8,449), and failure to keep accurate record of fuel changeovers is subject to a fine of KRW 1 million (USD 845).

A full copy of the circular issued by the Korean Register on the subject is available here.