IMO Considers Improving Controls on Bunkers Delivered to Ships

Improved measures are especially as important as ECAs come in to play in 2015, says INTERTANKO. 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to review and consider introducing measures that will improve controls on the quality of bunker fuel delivered to ships, reports Mairtime Professional.

The IMO acceded to requests after having received six proposals over the past four years, all of which the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) were involved in. 

"We welcome this decision," said INTERTANKO's Managing Director Katharina Stanzel.

"However this is only the beginning as we believe that control of compliance should be transparent along the entire supply chain."

"Our members and all ship owners should be able to have confidence, and documented proof, that fuels they receive are at or above the mandated standards."

Upcoming emission control area (ECA) regulations that will limit sulfur content in marine fuel in ECAs to 0.10 percent by weight has also made such legislation vital, according to INTERTANKO. 

"Port authorities such as the EU Member States will have a real challenge in demonstrating non-compliance by testing fuels used by ships when ships may hold test results demonstrating that the fuel delivered to them was not compliant," said INTERTANKO's Technical Director Dragos Rauta.

Guidelines that will ensure that fuel delivered complies with MARPOL Annex VI will now be developed by a correspondence group.

The group will also review the current legal framework for assuring the quality of fuel.

The IMO is also currently in the process of developing new text for the supplier's declaration on the bunker delivery note to suit upcoming ECAs.