Here is to report a few issues that may affect the operations of your fleet in 2018:
- Environment protection
- ECAs in China
The 3 ECAs (sulphur Emission Control Areas) in China have taken effective from 1 Jan 2018, which require ships to use fuel with sulphur contents ≤0.5% m/m at their 38 ports (excluding one hour after berthing and one hour before departure).
To achieve a controlled and safe fuel changeover, it is important to manage and stabilise fuel viscosity by controlling its temperature; heating or cooling the fuel. Fuel viscosity and temperature are crucial for engine and fuel-system health.
- Garbage Record Book, entering into force on 1 Mar 2018
The amended Form of Garbage Record Book of MARPOL Annex V, with details on Page 4, Appendix II of the attached IMO Resolution MEPC.277(70), is entering into force on 1 Mar 2018, concerning substances that are harmful to the marine environment (HME) and form of Garbage Record Book. The main change is that the Record of Garbage Discharges is divided into Part I and Part II. Part I will be for the use of all ships and Part II will be only required for ships that carry solid bulk cargoes.
The amendments include:
- A new paragraph 3 being inserted in Regulation 4 Discharge of garbage outside special areas of MARPOL Annex V, as follows:
“3 Solid bulk cargoes as defined in regulation VI/1-1.2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 , as amended, other than grain, shall be classified in accordance with appendix I of this Annex, and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are harmful to the marine environment*.”
Note*: reference is made to section 4.2.3 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.
- A new paragraph 1.2.2 being inserted in Regulation 6 Discharge of garbage within special areas of MARPOL Annex V, as follows:
“.2 Solid bulk cargoes as defined in regulation VI/1-1.2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 , as amended, other than grain, shall be classified in accordance with appendix I of this Annex, and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are harmful to the marine environment*;”
Note*: reference is made to section 4.2.3 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.
Solid bulk cargoes other than grain shall be classified in accordance with appendix I of MEPC.277(70), and declared by the shipper as to whether or not they are harmful to the marine environment. In the regard, the IMO’s MEPC 71 in Oct 2017 adopted resolution MEPC.295(71), which contains the “2017 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V”. It replaces the old version “2012 Guidelines”. The “2017 Guidelines” align the relevant provisions of the amendments to MARPOL Annex V in Resolution MEPC.277(70), and the relevant requirements of the International Code for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code).
- Safety and security
- Safety on board
