IBIA and the Trident Alliance Partner to Ensure Fair Enforcement of Bunker Sulfur Regulations

Robin Meech, IBIA Chairman, says it will be working with Trident to promote a "realistic and enforceable solution for both industry and the environment."

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) says it will be working with the Trident Alliance (Trident) to push for transparent and robust enforcement of sulfur emissions regulations within the shipping industry, specifically aiming to address system evasion rather than penalties for minor transgressions.

The two organisations say that, with the introduction of a 0.50 percent global sulfur cap getting closer, discussions seem to be focused on the availability of compliant fuel and a likely implementation date, but "very little" attention has been centered on how the cap will be enforced.

Highlighting the potential scale of the enforcement task, Anna Larsson, Chair of the Trident Alliance said: "The 0.1% sulphur limit in Emission Control Areas has now been in place for over a year, and still significant gaps in enforcement remain.

"However, the enforcement challenges of the ECA zones pale in comparison to what authorities will face at the implementation of the Global Sulphur Cap."

As previously reported by Ship & Bunker, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is conducting a fuel availability study to assess whether the implementation of a 0.50 percent global sulfur cap for marine fuel should be delayed from 2020 until 2025.

"At the moment, it is proposed that the flag states will be responsible for enforcing the global cap," said Robin Meech, Chairman of IBIA.

"We foresee problems with this approach and believe that there needs to be more clarity about the legal framework and the areas of jurisdiction," said Meech, adding that the goal its to work with Trident is to identify a "realistic and enforceable solution for both industry and the environment."

The IBIA says that both organisations will work to encourage a "level playing field" across the shipping industry, promoting control techniques that are effective in addressing the wants and needs of the wider community.

"It makes sense on so many levels to join in partnership with the Trident Alliance. We share concerns about the impact that a lack of enforcement will have on society, the environment and a well-founded marine industry," said Peter Hall, CEO of IBIA.

"We also share the view that cost of compliance should not impose an unfair additional burden on one or more sectors."

Earlier this month, Ship & Bunker reported that the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and INTERTANKO have issued a call for the IMO's Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) to agree in principle at its 69th session, that a final decision on a date for implementation of the a global 0.5 percent sulfur cap for shipping should be made at its 70th session.