Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — The management of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, has called on vessels visiting Nigerian ports to ensure that they are in compliance with the new International Maritime Organization, IMO, regulations on sulphur content of fuel oils used on board vessels.
In a Circular with reference number – SG/A-MoU/19/037 and dated 27th December, 2019, Director General of the Abuja MoU, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro, said that the new requirements prohibit the use of non-compliant fuel from 1st January 2020, adding that vessels owners and ship masters have three options to the alternative use of sulphur fuel; which includes using compliant fuel with sulphur content not more than 0.50% m/m; use an alternative fuel, such as LNG, with a sulphur content of 0.50 % m/m or less; and/or; Fit an alternative means of compliance, such as an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) approved under regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI. Carriage of Non- Compliant Fuel From 1 March 2020.
In the Circular titled, “Limits on Sulphur Content of fuel used and carried on board from January 1 and March 2020 – Annex of the International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships”, Usoro also said that where compliant fuel cannot be obtained, a Fuel Oil non-availability report (FONAR) must be submitted and accepted by the flag State and the Competent Authority in the next port of call.
Part of the Circular reads: “This circular letter is for Guidance for PSCOs on new IMO regulations on sulphur content of fuel oils used on board from 1 January 2020 and new regulations on sulphur content of fuel oils carried on board from 1 March 2020. IMO regulations to reduce sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions from ships first came into force in 2005, under Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
“Use of Non-Compliant Fuel From 1 January 2020, the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas is 0.50% m/m (mass by mass).
“The new requirements prohibit the use of non-compliant fuel from 1 January 2020 and there are three options for ship owners and operators to comply:
“Use compliant fuel with sulphur content not more than 0.50% m/m; 2. Use an alternative fuel, such as LNG, with a sulphur content of 0.50 % m/m or less; or 3. Fit an alternative means of compliance, such as an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) approved under regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI. Carriage of Non- Compliant Fuel From 1 March 2020, non-compliant fuel can only be carried on board, for use on the ship, where the vessel is fitted with an EGCS (Exhaust Gas Cleaning System).
“In instances where compliant fuel cannot be obtained a Fuel Oil Non-Availability Report Page 2 of 2 (FONAR) must be submitted and accepted by the flag State and the Competent Authority in the next port of call. MARPOL regulations apply to all ship sizes. Only ships of 400 gross tonnage and above engaged in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of other Parties are required to have an International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate, issued by the ship’s flag State. All sizes of ships will need to use fuel oil that meets the 0.50% limit from 1 January 2020.”