As of 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean Sea will effectively become an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx) under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. This implies that from then on when operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the sulphur content of the fuel used on board shall not exceed 0.10%, unless using an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) ensuring an equivalent SOx emission level. This is believed to significantly reduce ambient levels of air pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Mediterranean coastal states, providing benefits to human health and the environment. Format: pdf Language: Eng #Marpol #MEPC #ECA

Arctic waters – prohibition on the use and carriage for use of HFO
From 1 July 2024, heavy fuel oil (HFO) may no longer be used or carried as domestic fuel in bunker tanks when in Arctic waters.
The cleaning or flushing of bunker tanks or pipelines is not required after using HFO to prepare for operation within Arctic waters. HFO carried as cargo on tankers is not affected by this regulation.Recommendations
To stay compliant, it is important to ensure that sufficient fuel with the appropriate sulphur content is available for ships entering Artic waters, it is essential to ensure that any remaining HFO is disposed of before entering unless the ship is exempted. Format: pdf Language: Eng #Marpol #MEPC #Arctic

Effective from 1 May 2024, the latest amendment to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix V “Information to be included in the bunker delivery note”, brings changes to the documentation requirements on bunker delivery notes (BDN).The amendments, adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), increase the information needed in BDN. Previously, the BDN required documentation of density and sulphur content. However, the latest addition mandates the inclusion of the flashpoint of fuel oil.#Marpol #AnnexVI #MEPC #BDN

Topics at IMO.#IMO #FAL #MEPC #MSC

IMO Issues Interim Guidance on Biofuel Blends.Following extensive efforts by IBIA to highlight the issue of the carriage of greater than B25 biofuels by MARPOL Annex I certified bunker vessels, IMO has issued circular MEPC.1/Circ.917 Interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships. #Guidelines #Biofuel #Blends #MEPC