IBIA would like to remind our members and the maritime community in general about the ship implementation plan (SIP) prepared by the International Maritime Organization to assist ship owners in preparing for the use low sulphur fuels to comply with the 2020 sulphur limit.
The SIP, which is not mandatory, can be filled in by ship owners/operators to help them plan and demonstrate the steps taken by ships to prepare for compliance with the 0.50% sulphur limit taking effect on 1 January 2020.
Elements covered include a risk assessment and mitigation plan regarding the impact of new fuels; fuel oil system modifications and tank cleaning (if needed); fuel oil capacity and segregation capability; and bunkering plans in the lead-up to the compliance date.
The appendix on tank cleaning is a shortened version of a document submitted by IBIA to the IMO as the SIP was being developed last year, describing options available for cleaning fuel oil tanks and systems. The original IBIA document, which describes options available to ships to undertake for tank cleaning, approximate timelines associated with each method, is available to IBIA members on request.
The IMO’s document is available on this link:
Unni Einemo
unni@ibia.net
