USCG Bunker Inspection Program Demonstrates "Generally Satisfactory" ECA Compliance

USCG says a voluntary bunker inspection programme has demonstrated that compliance among samples tested and associated BDN were "generally satisfactory."

Rear Admiral Paul F. Thomas of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Tuesday announced that a voluntary bunker inspection programme, intended to assess compliance levels with North American Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements at the ports of Baltimore and Los Angeles/Long Beach, has demonstrated that compliance among samples tested and associated bunker delivery notes (BDNs) were "generally satisfactory."

Thomas notes that the pilot programme was implemented in order to specifically "assess the accuracy of BDNs and determine if regular, wide-spread testing was appropriate"

"The pilot program showed that vessel use of 0.1 percent fuel and the quality of fuel and accuracy of BDNs is generally satisfactory," added Thomas.

Of samples requested from 47 vessels during the pilot programme, 37 are said to have agreed to provide two samples each for a total of 74 samples.

USCG says that nine of the samples from six different vessels were found to be over the 0.1 percent sulfur content limit, while the remainder of the 37 samples were all under the sulfur content limit.

However, it is noted that the BDNs for all of the samples indicated that the fuel had sulfur content levels of 0.1 percent or below.

"Our examiners also concluded the position of the drain cocks on fuel tanks made contamination of the sample possible," explained Thomas.

"A ninth sample came back at 0.387 percent, but since this sample came from the fuel tank and the sample from the fuel line on the same vessel tested below the 0.1 percent level, examiners concluded this sample was likely contaminated and not representative of the low-sulfur fuel oil that that vessel received and was burning."

The USCG says, while it does not intend to continue the programme at this time, it will retain its capacity to conduct periodic sampling, and may continue such operations in the future.

"We remain committed to ensuring compliance with MARPOL Annex VI, and we likewise encourage vessel operators to conduct their own testing for this purpose," concluded Thomas.

Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its penalty policy for violations by ships of ECA rules, including a maximum fine of $25,000 per violation, per day.