EMEA News
MCA Awards UK Bunker Testing ECA Enforcement Contract
Lucion Marine (Lucion) Wednesday announced it has been awarded a contract by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to carry out bunker testing at major ports across Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the purpose of ensuring vessels' compliance with the 0.10 percent sulfur cap for bunkers used within Europe's Emissions Control Area (ECA).
Under the contract, which runs until 2020, Lucion is said to be providing inspectors to conduct vessel visits, liaising with ship masters, and acquiring spot samples.
The MCA is responsible for implementing and enforcing the UK's maritime safety and environmental policy, including its duties to comply with MARPOL.
"The MARPOL regulations exist to protect the environment and as such, any breaches are taken extremely seriously with sanctions being imposed for failing to meet obligations," said Lucion's Commercial Director, Philip Rozier.
"We will ensure that the MCA is fully compliant with MARPOL in relation to fuel oil sampling and is supported efficiently in managing sulfur emissions of vessels through rigorous testing and analysis processes."
Lucion says the testing process, from taking the sample to providing an analysis report, will take three days, and its team will be responsible for testing upwards of 240 vessels per year at 13 major UK ports, including Aberdeen, Belfast, Port of London, and Port of Tyne.
In August, Ship & Bunker reported that vessels destined for the UK could save money by using ports on the Welsh coast due to a "loophole" that omits the Irish Sea from Emission Control Area (ECA) rules.
