Stena Germanica, the first ship in the world to run on methanol as a marine fuel, has recorded five years of successful operation since this large ro-ro ferry was converted to be capable of running on the alternative clean-burning fuel. The 240-metre long ferry, with a capacity for 1500 passengers… …more…
Mauritius becomes MARPOL Annex VI signatory
Mauritius has become the latest IMO member state to sign up to MARPOL Annex VI. The Indian Ocean island nation’s accession to the air pollution prevention regulation was formalised on 23 March, and it will enter into force for Mauritius on 23 June 2020. The IMO says there are now… …more…
‘Pragmatic approach’ by port State inspection authorities during COVID-19 pandemic
Port State control (PSC) regimes have advised that inspection practices have been adjusted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Physical on-board ship inspections have been reduced considerably to protect both port State control officers (PSCOs) and seafarers, but the PSC regimes have said they continue to work to target high-risk… …more…
Timing of postponed IMO meetings to be decided by Council
Several IMO meetings IBIA planned to take part in have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently all meetings scheduled up until the mid- June have been postponed “until further notice” and it remains unknown if or when they will be rescheduled. In response to the exceptional circumstances, the… …more…
IMO page for COVID-19 advice
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set up a public page containing a whole host of advice and information about COVID-19 and its impacts on shipping for IMO Member States, seafarers and shipping. It contains information circulated by IMO, documents regarding safety or port and port State control measures of… …more…
IBIA statement on EGCS discussion at IMO’s PPR meeting: avoid confirmation bias
IBIA made a statement during the February session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 7) under the agenda item where the IMO is grappling with the contentious issue of discharges to water from exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers. Bans on open loop discharges have been… …more…
Call for IMO database on local and regional EGCS discharge water restrictions
As the IMO is working on a harmonised approach to the sensitive subject of restricting discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, there has been a call for developing a centralised database detailing local/regional restrictions/conditions on the discharge water from EGCS. At present, bans on open loop scrubber… …more…
IMO meeting sets out workplan to harmonise approach to EGCS discharges
A scope has been drafted for factors to consider when assessing the discharges from exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, as part of the IMO’s work to harmonise rules and guidance on the subject. There have been unilateral moves to implement restrictions on the use of open loop scrubbers in… …more…
Revision of EGCS guidelines completed
Revised IMO guidelines for the approval and certification of exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, are due for adoption at the next meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75). Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI on “Equivalents” allows for the use of alternative compliance methods if they provide… …more…
Guidelines for taking onboard samples to support HSFO carriage ban
The IMO has developed guidelines for taking so-called “onboard” samples of fuel from ships, a move that will enable relevant authorities to take samples to check if ships are complying with the high sulphur fuel oil carriage ban that takes effect on 1 March. Ships are alrady prohibited from using… …more…
