The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, have agreed on a collaboration agreement to help market participants across the shipping ecosystem prepare ahead of the implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)… …more…
Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.50% – sulphur marine fuel
A number of shipping, refining, fuel supply and standards organisations have worked together to produce Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.50% – sulphur marine fuel released on 20 August 2019. The publication has been developed by experts from across shipping, refining, supply and testing of marine… …more…
IMO in bid to improve reporting on fuel oil quality and availability
The IMO has agreed to update the MARPOL Annex VI module in its global shipping information system (GISIS) in a bid to improve the ability to accurately collect and analyse data concerning fuel oil quality and non-availability of compliant fuel oils. It follows discussions at the 74th session of the… …more…
IMO considers licensing scheme for bunker suppliers
As pressure continues for more regulation of the supply side, a proposal from several shipping organisations to make bunker licensing schemes mandatory under MARPOL Annex VI was rejected at the 74th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74), but it agreed to consider a template for voluntary… …more…
IMO guidelines for consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit: an overview
Shipowners, ship operators, bunker suppliers and other interested groups are encouraged to make use of guidelines developed by the IMO relating to the 0.50% sulphur limit taking effect on 1 January 2020. These comprehensive guidelines include a template for a “Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report (FONAR)” and an appendix on the… …more…
Guidance for best practice for Member State/coastal States adopted by MEPC 74
Following the adoption of Guidance on best practice for Member States/coastal States, the IMO now has a trinity of best practice documents aimed at key stakeholders affected by fuel quality issues under MARPOL Annex VI. The latest in the series is intended to assist Member States in carrying out their… …more…
FONAR discussions at MEPC 74 show divergent views
What happens with any non-compliant fuel oil remaining onboard a ship when arriving at the next port of call after submitting a Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report (FONAR)? The first option is debunkering, but what if that’s not possible at the ship’s first, second or even third port of call? The… …more…
MEPC 74 completes IMO 2020 guidelines
The 74th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee has completed a comprehensive set of guidelines for the consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit taking effect on 1 January 2020. Draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI relating to enforcement of the 0.50% sulphur limit have also been approved,… …more…
Three Ps for IMO 2020
With less than a year left to get ready for the 0.50% sulphur limit, awareness is high but is that enough? Many have doubts, but don’t stop trying, says IBIA’s Unni Einemo. To be where we need to be by the end of this year, many elements of the three… …more…
IMO 2020: New fuel blends, new challenges
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” This quote attributed to Nils Bohr, Nobel laureate in Physics, is a good reminder that even the sharpest minds and best models can get it wrong. Predicting how 2020 will play out is fraught with uncertainties and there is currently… …more…
