The following statement describing an agreement by major PSC regimes to conduct concentrated inspection campaigns on compliance with MARPOL Annex VI on the prevention of air pollution from ships was written by maritime P&I club Gard:
The Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU and Black Sea MOU port state control (PSC) regimes have agreed to focus on the prevention of air pollution by ships during their forthcoming concentrated inspection campaigns (CICs).
The CICs will be carried out between 1 September 2018 and 30 November 2018 and the Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will pay particular attention to visiting ships’ compliance with MARPOL Annex VI during regular PSC inspections.
The tailored CIC checklist/questionnaire to be used by attending PSCOs will reportedly be published in August 2018. However, as some PSC regimes have recently announced that they will take enforcement of the new 2020 global 0.5% sulphur cap seriously from “day one”, the CIC may be considered a good opportunity to create awareness on the forthcoming requirements. Ship operators should therefore not be surprised if verification of the sulphur content of the onboard fuel is requested as part of the CIC. This could include a review of documents, such as bunker delivery notes, oil record books, fuel logs and fuel changeover procedures, as well as the taking and analysis of fuel samples at short notice. The “Sulphur Inspection Guidance” published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) contains useful information on what to expect from an attending PSCO.
It is, however, important to bear in mind that sulphur oxides (SOx) contained in ships’ exhaust gas is not the only air pollutant regulated by MARPOL Annex VI. The convention limits emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx) and prohibits the deliberate emission of ozone depleting substances (ODS). It also regulates shipboard incineration of waste material, and the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from tankers.
Members and clients are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the relevant MARPOL Annex VI regulations and CIC criteria in well before 1 September 2018. Based on experience from previous CICs, it is assumed that the questionnaire will focus on the maintenance and working condition of relevant equipment, such as the incinerator, but will mainly contain operational questions aimed at verifying the crews’ familiarity with the ship-specific equipment and procedures. As much of the compliance with MARPOL Annex VI is documented by significant recordkeeping, it will be important to ensure that that all MARPOL Annex VI documentation is complete and up-to-date prior to entry into any port.
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 26 July, 2018
Ammonia and hydrogen, when used to fuel marine SOFCs in the future, will enhance profitability by replacing existing marine engines as a pollution-free power source.
Document provides key insights into the vital role that correct lubricant selection and onboard lubrication oil management plays in preventing costly engine failures.
Stabilis will deploy LNG transportation and distribution equipment from its liquefaction facilities in Texas and Louisiana; services available in 2021.
Canadian-flagged ship will be the first LNG bunkering ship in the Pacific Northwest region after completion; vessel will be classed by the classification society Bureau Veritas.
Company highlights a common and unhelpful misconception of EU MRV and IMO DCS.
The International Association of Ports and Harbors and International Transport Forum recognises role to play.
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
