MARKETS: Bunker association clarifies EU directive on in-port fuel sulpur limits

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, February 22, Monday) --- Article from EnergyAsia ...

(EnergyAsia, February 12 2010, Friday) --- The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) said an EU directive requiring vessels to use low-sulphur fuel in European ports took effect on January 1, and has not been postponed as recently rumoured.

IBIA said EU Directive 2005/33/EC prescribes that from January 1, 2010, member states must take necessary steps to ensure that ships at berth in EU ports do not use marine fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1% by mass. There have been rumours that this deadline might have been postponed due to potential safety risks involving the switchover on ships using unmodified boilers.

Ian Adams, IBIA’s chief executive, said: “We have heard various rumours, including one which suggests that the deadline for implementation of the EU directive has been postponed by six months. Nothing could be further from the truth. The directive came into force on January 1 and applies to all ships operating to EU ports.

“Ships are not exempt on the ground that the fuel changeover is unsafe because modifications have not been made to its boilers, or to the ship itself. Clearly in such cases the expectation is not that the ship should engage in an unsafe practice but simply that it will not berth. Similarly, there is no automatic dispensation for ships which have made arrangements to carry out the necessary modifications but have not yet implemented them.

“Although the European Commission has signified its awareness of the potential dangers associated with the switchover to low-sulphur fuel while in port, and has recommended to member states that they enforce the regulations with a degree of flexibility for a transitional period in those cases where there is detailed evidence of the existence of an approved plan for vessel and/or boiler modification, the directive is nevertheless now in force and EU member states are obliged to enforce it. This means that all non-compliant ships are at risk.”

IBIA stresses that operators of vessels bound for an EU port unable to comply with the EU directive should coordinate with the local authorities before entering port to take appropriate control measures while the ship is berthed.

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