An epidemic of ships experiencing fuel-related problems with seemingly on-spec fuels this year, starting in the US Gulf, has led to feverish speculation about the root causes with many predicting that this is a precursor for worse to come in 2020. Something is afoot, but facts are hard to pin… …more…
IMO to start consideration of legal framework for low-flashpoint diesel
IBIA welcomes signs that work may soon get underway on developing a new chapter specifically for oil-based fuels with a flashpoint below 60°C within the context of the IGF Code, which would simplify the process for ships to demonstrate that they are designed to use such fuels safely. Germany made… …more…
IMO takes important step to facilitate use of methanol
An IMO sub-committee has completed draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel, setting them on course for formal approval by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in 2020. The goal of these guidelines is to provide for safe and environmentally-friendly design, construction and operation… …more…
The end of the world as we know it
The world of bunkers is heading for rapid and fundamental changes and not just because of the 0.50% sulphur cap in 2020. While IMO and stakeholders are working hard to deal with this unprecedented global fuel specification change, discussions have moved on to just how soon we should phase out… …more…
Five steps to prepare for compliance with IMO’s 2020 sulphur limit
KNect356 recently asked IBIA to respond to this question: What are the 5 steps everyone should take to prepare for 2020 compliance in order to neutralise short-term challenges and prepare for long-term goals? Why? For the benefit of IBIA members, here is our response: I’m not sure there are five… …more…
Messi or Ronaldo? Opinions and facts in a post-Truth world
Messi or Ronaldo? Scrubbers or LNG? Everyone has their own personal preference and many have very strong opinions for or against one or the other. What became clear at the recent FIFA World Cup was that perhaps the Messi or Ronaldo debate is now a matter for historians (who was… …more…
Considerations on the safety of 2020 fuel blends addressed at IMO meeting
Confusion about whether the existing ISO 8217 marine fuel quality standard will cover fuel blends produced to meet the 0.50% sulphur limit has, hopefully, been cleared up at last week’s meeting at the International Maritime Organization. Concerns about the safety of fuel blends complying with the upcoming 0.50% sulphur limit… …more…
IMO working group makes progress on sulphur testing and verification issues
There appears to be significant support among IMO member States to ensure consistency in fuel oil testing and verification procedures for the verification of compliance with MARPOL Annex VI sulphur limits through regulatory amendments. The intersessional working group (ISWG) meeting of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR), held… …more…
Much work remains on IMO’s implementation guidelines for 2020 sulphur limit
Many issues remain unresolved following last week’s intersessional working group (ISWG) meeting at the IMO to develop guidelines to support the consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur from 1 January 2020. The meeting made good progress on planning and preparatory issues, having developed a ship implementation plan and informative annexes… …more…
ISO statement on the ISO 8217 standard in relation to 0.50% sulphur fuels
The following is a statement by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO TC28 SC4 WG6 – for ISO 8217:2017 – Petroleum Products – Specifications of Marine Fuels – Covers 2020 0.50% Sulphur Fuels Lately, several assertions have been made that ISO 8217:2017 does not encompass future max. 0.50% sulphur… …more…
