The two major port state control (PSC) regimes have agreed to carry out a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) targeting sulphur compliance.
The Danish Maritime Association (DMA) said the plan to increase focus on the sulphur limit regulations was made on the basis of a joint Danish and Dutch proposal.
The Tokyo and Paris MoUs, which cover 45 countries and five continents, are expected to carry out the campaign in 2018.
“We have achieved two important results. Firstly, all over the world there will be even more focus on whether ships meet the sulphur limits,” said Peter Krog-Meyer, senior adviser of the DMA.
“Secondly, it is a strong signal that so many important port states now clearly show that we have joined forces in our efforts to enhance the enforcement of the sulphur provisions across the borders.”
Cooperation on efficient enforcement has become even more important after the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed last month that a global sulphur limit of 0.5% will enter into force in 2020.
The DMA said the 2018 campaign is the result of efforts made by Denmark to ensure enhanced international focus on enforcement.
“In Denmark, we have been striving to ensure stronger enforcement for years, and the 2018 inspection campaign is merely one element of much greater efforts that are already being made. And this process will be speeded up in 2017 after the IMO decision on a global sulphur limit in 2020,” added Krog-Meyer.
“A CIC means that all 45 countries covered by the PSC schemes carry out an especially thorough examination of a chosen area, such as sulphur, when their PSC officers embark foreign ships,” the DMA said.
“The efforts made will increase compliance with regulations and contribute to ship crews' awareness of the new regulations and the consequences of any violations.”
