With little over 1 year to go before MARPOL Annex VI introduces a further steep reduction in global sulphur emission limits, it is estimated that approximately 60,000 active ships in the world will need to meet the requirements of this regulation. Ensuring compliance by 1 January 2020 will not be possible without considering a number of regulatory, technical, financial and contractual factors; the most prominent of which we outline in this Circular.
Background to the regulation
The MARPOL Convention is the main International Maritime Organization (IMO) instrument regulating the prevention of pollution by ships. Its Annex VI’s target of limiting the main air pollutants contained in ships’ exhaust gas, was strengthened in 2008 when the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted a revised version which introduced a global progressive reduction in emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrous oxides and particulate matter.
To this effect two geographical zones are recognized by Annex VI, each characterized by clearly defined emission limits within its boundaries. On the one hand Emission Control Areas (ECA) were established with a fuel oil sulphur limit of 1.00 % m/m (by mass). Originally restricted to the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area, the ECAs were eventually extended to include the North American area and the United States and Caribbean Sea area. Since January 2015 ECAs emission limits have been reduced further to 0.10% m/m. When trading within these areas all vessels must currently comply with this limit.
On the other hand the remaining geographical areas, outside ECA boundaries, are subject to global sulphur emission limits. Since 1 January 2012 these limits were set at 3.50% m/m. However, as part of the regulation’s progressive implementation, a further steep reduction is scheduled for 2020 bringing limits down to 0.50% m/m. Limits on ‘fuel oil’ on ships are understood to include use in main and auxiliary engines and boilers.
Scope of the changes
The new global limits will apply to all ships registered with Flag States that have ratified MARPOL’s Annex VI; a figure recently assessed at 91 States representing 96.89% of the world tonnage. Vessels calling or passing through waters of Port States that have ratified Annex VI must equally comply.
Limited specific exemptions are provided for situations involving the safety of the vessel; saving life at sea and when a vessel or its equipment is damaged.
Enforcement
All ships of 400 GT or more will be required to have an International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate issued by the Flag State. These Certificates will state the vessel’s preferred method of compliance and so include a section confirming when the ship uses fuel oil with a sulphur content within applicable limits or in turn relies on an approved equivalent arrangement. During Port State inspection this will determine appropriate compliance assessment.
Furthermore, at the time of taking fuel oil ships must obtain a bunker delivery note stating the sulphur content. Consumption is also to be adequately recorded in the ship’s Annex I Oil Record Book, as Port States are allowed to monitor all records and take samples for verification. In all cases, surveillance techniques to assess air pollutants emitted can also be used.
MARPOL does not provide for specific sanctions or fines in case of non-compliance, but Annex VI does require that Flag/Port States responses to be ‘adequate in severity to discourage violations… irrespective of where the violations occur’. Flag States may also revoke or suspend a vessel’s MARPOL certificates in case of non-compliance.
How to ensure vessels are compliant?
All vessels can ultimately become compliant via the following routes:
- Compliant fuels: bunkering fuel oils with actual sulphur content within the limits.
- Emission controls: alternative methods to achieve acceptable levels of emission.
Let us consider these in more detail.
Compliant fuels
Burning distillates
Contrary to marine fuel residuals, which are the heavy products from the refinery, distillates are the lighter grade fuels from the refining process and due to its low sulphur content a direct route to compliance. The most common distillates are the marine gas oil (MGO/DMA) and marine diesel fuel (MDO/DMB).
RELEVANT FACTORS
Whereas major modifications to the vessel will not be required, costs will be an issue. The difference in price with residual fuel is expected to increase further after 2020 and there is also increasing concern on refineries’ ability to meet demand after this date.
Burning hybrids or blends
A number of compliant products which are heavier than MGO and MDO but lighter than residual fuel oils are being developed by producers. Whereas products specially produced to be compliant are commonly referred to as ‘hybrids’, those resulting from the mix of distillate and residual fuels are known as ‘blends’.
RELEVANT FACTORS
Requires no major modifications to the vessel and is a cheaper option than distillates. On the other hand there is a risk that blends fall outside the latest specified ISO 8217 grades and present a higher risk of incompatibility between fuels.
On this point ISO working group has reassured the industry that the General Requirements of ISO 8217 are also applicable to the lower sulphur grades. There is accordingly no reason why future blends should not be simultaneously stable and compliant. Aiming to offer specific guidance to fuel suppliers ISO is working on a publication on marine fuel quality post 2020. Separately the risk of fuel incompatibility in tanks, resulting from variations of oil blend formulations across regions, can be managed through adequate procedures to minimize fuel commingling.
Emission controls
These measures include both methods in which the formation of sulphur does not occur and those in which the sulphur is formed but subsequently removed.
Burning LNG
LNG is a natural gas in liquid form, predominantly methane, which generally contains a mix of heavier hydrocarbons such as butane and ethane. Importantly as a marine fuel LNG emits zero sulphur and virtually no particulate matter. The IMO has published studies on the feasibility and use of LNG as fuel for shipping (2016).
RELEVANT FACTORS
Overall regarded as a very clean fuel with relatively low fuel costs. Nevertheless, capital expenditure for gas or dual fuel engine, as well as limited LNG supply infrastructure, will need to be taken into account.
Installing Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) – scrubbers
Designed to allow continued use of fuel oil with sulphur content above 0.5% m/m, the EGCS effectively washes the exhaust gas prior to emission in order to reduce pollutants released into the air. These systems are categorized as open loop, closed loop or hybrid, depending if they operate with freshwater or seawater, and taking into account the methods for residue discharge.
RELEVANT FACTORS
Initial capital expenditure is in the region of USD 3 - 5 million. In addition the systems and equipment require significant space. Although a big challenge in terms of financing, it is possible to consider leasing scrubbers through a service agreement. At this moment scrubbers are seen as a temporary solution and only a small percentage of the world fleet will be fitted with them by 2020. E