Carriage of Biofuel Blends

The Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Petroleum Oil and Biofuels agreed by the fifteenth session of the BLG Sub-Committee becam effective in September 2011 and blends should be carried according to the requirements found therein.

The Guidelines currently define biofuels as Ethanol, FAME Vegetable oils and Alkanes (C10-C26) linear and branched as identified in the IBC Code, but in order to accommodate any biofuels that may be developed in the future an additional Annex will be added to the MEPC.2/Circ. listing biofuels that fall under the scope of the Guidelines.

 

The Guidelines provide for a 3-band system for the carriage of biofuel blends, namely:

 

Band 1:

75% or more petroleum oil

Product subject to Annex I of MARPOL

ODME to be approved/certified for mixture carried

Band 2:

More than 1% but less than 75% petroleum oil

Product subject to Annex II of MARPOL

Cargo treated as Pollution Category X, Ship Type 2 with carriage requirements based on the generic entry defined for the biofuel blend concerned

Band 3:

1% or less petroleum oil

Product carried as Annex II cargo

 

When such blends are to be carried under MARPOL Annex I there is a provision for cargo residues and tank washings to be pumped ashore if the ODME has not been approved.  This provision is only valid until until 1 January 2016, however, after which date the equipment must be certified in order for these blends to be carried. 

 

The generic carriage requirements in the Guidelines for shipment of blends under MARPOL Annex II are in List 1 of MEPC.2/Circ. 17 and blends that appeared in Lists 2 and 3 of earlier editions of the MEPC.2/Circ. have been deleted.

Click here to view the Guidelines