Two new MARPOL regulations regarding fuel properties will take effect in 2024 and 2025. It is important to keep ourselves updated with the latest amendments.
The latest amendments include, the Mediterranean Sea becoming ECA for SOx in 2025 and banning the use and carriage of HFO in the Arctic which will take effect in 2024.
Mediterranean Sea, new ECA for SOx
Under MARPOL annexe VI regulation 14.7, RESOLUTION MEPC.361(79) (adopted on 16 December 2022), the Mediterranean Sea will effectively become an emission control area for sulphur oxides from 1st May 2025. This implies that the sulphur content of the fuel used should be less than 0.1% unless the vessel is equipped with EGCS ( Exhaust Gas Cleaning System) ensuring an equivalent SOx emission level.
The other SOx ECAs under MARPOL are the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the North American ECA and the United States Caribbean Sea ECAs. Another candidate in line would be the North East Atlantic Ocean; as it links the North Sea ECA with the Mediterranean Sea ECA.
Arctic waters – prohibition on the use and carriage for use of HFO
From 1 July 2024, heavy fuel oil (HFO) may no longer be used or carried as domestic fuel in bunker tanks when in Arctic waters, with some exceptions:
- Ships engaged in securing the safety of ships, search and rescue operations, or dedicated to oil spill preparedness and response are exempted.
- Ships subject to Regulation 12A of MARPOL Annex I (oil fuel tank protection) or Regulation 1.2.1* of Part II-A of the Polar Code may use and carry HFO until 1 July 2029.
- when operating in domestic waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of their flag state may be temporarily waived until 1 July 2029.
HFO in this context implies fuel oil having a density at 15°C higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C higher than 180 mm2/s. It has been discussed whether to also include the pour point as an additional qualifier in the future, but this has not yet been concluded.
The cleaning or flushing of bunker tanks or pipelines is not required after using HFO to prepare for operation within Arctic waters. HFO carried as cargo on tankers is not affected by this regulation.
References
- Resolution MEPC.361(79) – Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (Mediterranean SOx ECA)
- Resolution MEPC.329(76) – Amendments to MARPOL Annex I (HFO ban in Arctic waters
