The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has put out a free guide on adhering to the fast-approaching IMO 2020 regulation.
The 32-page "Provisional Guidance to Shipping Companies and Crews on Preparing for Compliance with the 2020 ‘Global Sulphur Cap" will "help ensure compliance across the shipping industry with this regulatory game changer," the chamber said.
The ICS said the guide is for most ships that will comply with the need to lower exhause sulphur content ot 0.5% by using low-sulphur fuel oils.
“Shipping companies may need to start ordering compliant fuels from as early as the middle of 2019, and they are strongly recommended to commence developing implementation plans as soon as possible,” ICS secretary-general Guy Platten said.
Implementation will be far more complex than for introduction of Emission Control Areas because of the switchover's sheer magnitude and much larger quantities and different types of fuel involved.
Continuing uncertainties about availability, safety and compatibility of compliant fuels in every port worldwide will further complicate the issue, ICS said.
ICS contends that a ship's crew with a suitably developed implementation plan will be better able to show to Port State Control that they have acted in "good faith" and done everything reasonably possible for full compliance.
“This need to demonstrate good faith could be particularly important in the event that safe and compliant fuels are unavailable in some ports during the initial weeks of implementation,” Platten said.
“And IMO has provisionally agreed that Port State Control authorities may take into account the ship’s implementation plan when verifying compliance with the 0.5% sulphur limit.”
Some ships may need to use more than one type of compliant fuel to sail globally, causing compatibility challenges between fuel grades that could affect safety and operation.
ICS said full implementation is far away and availability of compliant and compatible fuels rests with oil suppliers and IMO member states that have agreed to adopt IMO 2020.
ICS urges more progress by governments on addressing outstanding safety issues, including concerns about the fuel quality of new blended fuel oils, at the Maritime Safety Committee meeting in December.
