Trident Alliance calls for Adoption of Non-Compliant Fuel Carriage Ban

Shailaja A. Lakshmi
Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Trident Alliance, the shipping industry initiative for robust enforcement of maritime sulphur regulations in the interest of the environment, called for adoption without delay of IMO carriage ban for fuel with sulphur content over 0.5%, as a means for the successful implementation of the 2020 sulphur cap.

At MEPC 73 in October IMO Member States must formally adopt the carriage ban on non-compliant fuels for implementation in 2020, as it is a fundamental tool for securing strong global enforcement, it said.

The entry into force date of the 2020 global 0.50% sulphur cap is set in stone. From the 1st of January 2020 the maximum permissible sulphur content for marine fuel will be reduced from 3.50% to 0.50% for all vessels that are not equipped with a scrubber.

The 2020 regulation change will provide a reduction in the global sulphur cap of more than 80%, with considerable environmental and health benefits. The new regulation will also significantly increase shipowners’ operating costs. Therefore, robust and effective enforcement is vital to ensure fair competition is maintained.

At the next IMO MEPC meeting in October, the carriage ban on non-compliant fuel is on the agenda for formal adoption, to take effect in March 2020. There are now attempts to defer implementation due to uncertainty over fuel attributes, matters that are already being addressed by the relevant IMO bodies, and which well-prepared shipowners have already taken into consideration.

The Trident Alliance believes that the IMO carriage ban on non-compliant fuels is a crucial enforcement tool in the successful implementation of the global 2020 sulphur cap. Trident Alliance Chair, Roger Strevens, says:

“The Trident Alliance stands firm on the need for robust and effective enforcement and views the carriage ban on non-compliant fuel as a very strong tool to secure that outcome.”

“After 1st January 2020 it is not necessary to have high sulphur fuel in the fuel tanks of vessels without scrubbers installed. Therefore, the Trident Alliance cannot accept any postponement of the carriage ban. We strongly urge all Member States to stand firm on this.”

The carriage ban on non-compliant fuel strengthens the hand of enforcement authorities  by removing the requirement to prove that a vessel has been using non-compliant fuel.  Just having it in any fuel tank on board, unless the vessel has a scrubber, will be a breach of the regulation. This provides a needed shift in the burden of proof, making enforcement easier and stronger.

Categories: Environmental Fuels & Lubes Pollution Ocean Observation

Related Stories

Petronas Expands Suriname Portfolio with Deepwater Block Acquisition

Japanese Oil and Gas Firm Enters Two Blocks off Malaysia

Woodside Agrees Long-Term LNG Supply with Petronas Unit

Yinson Production Closes $1B Investment to Drive Further Growth

French Oil Major Acquires Interests in Multiple Blocks in Southeast Asia

ABL Lands Work on BP’s Indonesian Gas and CCUS Project

BP Expands Oil and Gas Scope in Azerbaijan with New Projects and Exploration Rights

Fugro Lands Deepwater Gas Field Job in Southeast Asia

China's Sinopec Laucnhes $690M Hydrogen Venture Capital Funds

CIP, ACEN Partner Up for First Large-Scale Offshore Wind Farm in Philippines

Current News

Centrica and Thailand’s PTT Ink Long-Term LNG Supply Deal

Petrovietnam, Partners Sign PSC for Block Off Vietnam

Japan Protests China’s New Oil and Gas Construction Activities in East China Sea

CNOOC Signs Hydrocarbons Exploration and Production Deal with Kazakhstan

Thailand's PTT to Buy LNG from Glenfarne's Alaska LNG Project

Woodside and Jera Agree LNG Cargoes Supply for Japan’s Winter Period

Petronas Expands Suriname Portfolio with Deepwater Block Acquisition

Japanese Oil and Gas Firm Enters Two Blocks off Malaysia

Yinson Production, “K” LINE Target Europe's CCS with FSIU and LCO2 Solutions

Woodside Agrees Long-Term LNG Supply with Petronas Unit

Subscribe for AOG Digital E‑News

AOG Digital E-News is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

https://accounts.newwavemedia.com