IBIA Chairman Accuses IMO of Under-Regulating Bunker Quality

Jens Maul Jørgensen said that the IMO had focused its environmental regulations too much on shipowners and operators.

International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Chairman Jens Maul Jørgensen has leveled harsh criticism against the International Maritime Organization (IMO), accusing the organization of having "no idea" of the market from the owner and operator side, Shipping Watch reports. 

In terms of environmental regulations, Jørgensen said that the IMO has routinely honed in on rules that apply to owners and operators without also creating rules that will apply to fuel producers and help raise the quality of bunkers. 

"The problem is that the IMO has, for years, avoided implementing requirements for energy companies and refineries to deliver the necessary quality," he said. 

"Instead, shipowners and operators, and shipyards as well, are left in the dark about what quality of bunker to expect, how much can be delivered, and when the companies will be able to deliver."

Jørgensen said that ensuring bunker quality was also another facet of improving air quality, but that currently, owners and operators unfairly carry the burden of ensuring that the low-sulfur fuel needed to adhere to tightened environmental regulations does not harm their ships.

"Why not make it obligatory to use the latest ISO:8217 specs within a year after it is published?," he asked.

"Lots of suppliers say that they cannot get the ISO 8217:2010 specs because the refiners and cargo traders will only sell to them under the 2005 spec, therefore we need a regulation on quality from IMO."

Last week, Ship & Bunker reported that the IMO had released a statement urging world leaders to work out the shipping-focused part of a global climate deal under the IMO's leadership due to the latter's expertise in the subject.