IMO PPR Sub-Committee Charts Plan for Consistent Implementation of 0.50% Sulfur Cap

IMO's PPR is working to support a "smooth and effective" implementation of a global 0.50 percent sulfur cap.

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) at its fourth session laid out plans for work the committee will undertake in 2018 and 2019 to support a "smooth and effective" 2020 implementation of a global 0.50 percent sulfur cap on marine fuels.

"Inconsistent and ineffective implementation would increase the uncertainty concerning actual market demand for 0.50 percent sulfur marine fuel oil, which in turn would increase the difficulty for the marine fuel oil supply chain to plan effectively to meet global demand and for ship operators to assess the viability of investing in exhaust gas cleaning systems," said PPR.

"Importantly, ineffective implementation is likely to lead to more ships using non-compliant fuel oil so having a significant commercial advantage over ships complying, leading to a distortion in the market."

PPR says its scope of work will include consideration of the preparatory and transitional issues in implementing the new cap, impact on fuel and machinery systems that may result from the use of fuel oils with a 0.50 percent m/m sulfur limit, verification issues and control mechanisms and actions required to ensure compliance and consistent implementation.

The sub-committee will work to develop a draft standard format for reporting fuel oil
non-availability, as well as guidance to assist Member States and stakeholders in assessing the sulfur content of fuel oil delivered to ships.

Further, to ensure consistency between the relevant ISO standards on marine fuels and the implementation of regulation, PPR says it will request the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) consider the framework of ISO 8217 standard for marine fuels supplied globally.

PPR notes that the new cap will present significant changes to daily operating costs of ships operating outside of emission control areas (ECAs).

"Products emerging to meet the 0.50 percent sulfur limit are expected to cost less than traditional marine distillates, but a substantial price differential is nevertheless anticipated with various forecasts suggesting a wide range," said PPR.

"Therefore, without consistent implementation to all ships, it is impossible to ensure a level playing field for use of the 0.50 percent sulfur limit fuel oil, with the result that the expected improvement of the environment and human health could not be achieved."