Web Alert: Paris MoU to focus on air pollution from ships

The Paris MoU has announced that it will focus attention on marine air pollution in the near future. This development anticipates the new maximum limits for sulphur in ships' fuel oil, which is due to enter into force on 1 January 2020. This new focus on air pollution will comprise of two elements:

1. An information campaign in the form of a letter of warning which is due to start 1 January 2019 to encourage timely compliance
2. A ‘Concentrated Inspection Campaign’ (CIC) on MARPOL Annex VI, which will be carried out jointly with the Tokyo MoU. The aim of this CIC will be to check the compliance with requirements for the prevention of air pollution from ships . The CIC will be conducted from September to November 2018, the questionnaire will be published in August.

In addition to the Paris MoU press release, please find attached, IMO Resolution A. 1119(30) ‘Procedures for Port State Control, 2017’. Appendix 2 of this resolution, ‘Guidelines for the Detention of Ships’ contains ‘Areas under the MARPOL Convention, Annex VI’ which lists deficiencies considered serious enough that they may warrant the detention of the ship involved. The contents of this section are listed below:

Areas under the MARPOL Convention, Annex VI
 
1. Absence of valid IAPP Certificate and where relevant EIAPP Certificates and Technical Files.
 
2. A marine diesel engine, with a power output of more than 130 kW, which is installed on board a ship constructed on or after 1 January 2000, or a marine diesel engine having undergone a major conversion on or after 1 January 2000, which does not comply with the NOX Technical Code 2008.
 
3. The sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships exceeds the following limits:
i. 3.5% m/m on and after 1 January 2012; and
ii. 0.5% m/m on and after 1 January 2020.
 
4. The sulphur content of any fuel used on board exceeds 0.1% m/m on and after 1 January 2015 while operating within a SOX emission control area, and respectively, as per the provisions of regulation 14.
 
5. An incinerator installed on board the ship on or after 1 January 2000 does not comply with requirements contained in appendix IV to the Annex, or the standard specifications for shipboard incinerators developed by the Organization (resolution MEPC.244(66)).
 
6. Ship's personnel are not familiar with essential procedures regarding the operation of air pollution prevention equipment.
 
7. Absence of valid IEEC (International Energy Efficiency Certificate).
 
8. Absence of Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) specific for the ship (this may form part of the ship's Safety Management System (SMS)).