After lengthy discussions MEPC 57 reached agreement on a draft revised Annex VI to MARPOL. According to this draft sulphur emission limits will be set as follows:
1 March 2010 – Sulphur cap in SECA’s to be reduced to 1.0%
1 January 2012 – Global sulphur cap reduced to 3.50%
1 January 2015 – Sulphur cap within SE A’s reduced to 0.10%
1 January 2020 – Global sulphur cap reduced to 0.50%
No mention is made to the mandatory use of distillates, meaning that the option is there to use alternative measures, including abatement technology, to reach the required levels. Regulation 4, dealing with Equivalents, makes it clear that the Administration may allow “any fitting, material appliance or apparatus to be fitted in a ship or other procedures, alternative fuel oils or compliance methods used as an alternative to that required by this Annex if such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus or other procedures, alternative fuel oils or compliance methods are at least as effective in terms of emissions reductions as that required by this Annex, including any of the standards set forth in regulations 13 and 14.”
The revised Annex includes a provision for a review to be carried out by 2018 into the availability of low sulphur fuel to meet the requirements by 2020. If this review concludes that there is not enough of such fuel available, then the date of enforcement of this requirement will be put back to 1 January 2025.
In view of the problems some members have encountered in sourcing LSFO for the current SECA’s, IPTA was instrumental in the development of a provision in relation to the non-availability of low sulphur fuel. This regulation provides for vessels that have been unable to take on board the appropriate fuel to be exempted from control measures, at the discretion of the Port State, in circumstances where it can be demonstrated that all possible efforts have been made to purchase the appropriate fuel.
Nox Technical Code
This will be applied by means of 3 tiers specifying progressively reduced limits of emissions of nitrogen oxides, calculated as total weighted emissions at various engine speeds. The Tier 1 standard is that currently applicable to engines on ships built since 2000; Tier 2 will apply to ships built between 1 January 2011 and 1 January 2016; and Tier 3, the most stringent standard, will apply to ships built from 1 January2016.
With regard to ships built before 2000, it was agreed that those built before 1 January 1990 will not be required to upgrade their engines. Engines with a power output of more than 5,000 kW and a per cylinder displacement at or above 90 litres on ships constructed between 1 January 1990 and 1 January 2000 will be obliged to meet the Tier 1 requirements with regard to Nox emissions by means of an approved kit that manufacturers are expected to develop. If, for whatever reason, an approved kit is not available for a particular engine, then it will not be required to comply.
The text of the revised Annex VI agreed at this session will be circulated and is expected to be formally adopted at MEPC 58 in October, which will lead to entry into force in March 2010.
See Members' Area for the agreed draft text of the revised Annex.