ECA Fuel Compatibility Issues Sees BIMCO Amend Bunker Fuel Clause

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday June 15, 2015

BIMCO has announced that the organisation's Documentary Committee had amended their Bunker Fuel Sulphur Clause for Time Charter Parties 2005 when the group met in Edinburgh on June 3, 2015.

One reason given for the change was to take into account that different low sulfur fuels are not always compatible with each other, therefore a vessel may not be able to bunker and use an available Emissions Control Area (ECA) compliant product.

"Appropriate text will therefore be developed requiring compatibility," said BIMCO.

A Second reason was "to close a gap which can be exploited in some areas" where charterers are permitted to file a notice of non-availability of low sulfur fuel without the vessel owners' knowledge, such as in the U.S..

BIMCO said that because this may have later repercussions, possibly after redelivery, a provision will be added requiring charterers to inform owners whenever a notice of non-availability of low sulfur fuel is filed for one of their vessel's.

BIMCO, also said an adjustment to the Bunker Operations and Sampling Clause was also agreed to, amending the minimum number of fuel samples to be taken from seven to five.

Earlier this year BIMCO said its new Standard Bunker Contract, the BIMCO Terms 2015, has had "a very encouraging start."

Ship & Bunker News Team
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