CimbriaTOC Europe 2023TelestackIMPA EventsThe Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology Port of South Louisiana
  • TOC Europe 2023
  • Port of Stockton
  • Van Aalst
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology
  • Sailors Society

ICS’ free guidance on preparing for Sulphur Cap

(Posted on 20/09/18)

To assist shipping companies prepare for implementation of the UN IMO global sulphur cap for ships’ fuel oil, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has produced – free of charge – some comprehensive guidance on implementation planning, to help ensure compliance across the shipping industry with this regulatory game changer.  

The free ICS guidance has been prepared for the vast majority of ships that will comply after 1 January 2020 using fuel oils with a sulphur content of 0.50% m/m or less.

ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, explained: “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.”

Apart from the significant additional cost of compliant fuel, ICS says that implementation of the global cap will be far more complex than for the previous introduction of Emission Control Areas. This is because of the sheer magnitude of the switchover and the much larger quantities and different types of fuel involved, as well as continuing uncertainties about the availability, safety and compatibility of compliant fuels in every port worldwide.

ICS argues that if a ship – as now recommended by IMO – has a suitably developed implementation plan, then the ship’s crew should be in a better position to demonstrate to Port State Control that they have acted in ‘good faith’ and done everything that could be reasonably expected to achieve 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” said Mr Platten. “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.”

The new ICS guidance explains that the implementation process will need to address the possibility that some ships may need to carry and use more than one type of compliant fuel in order to operate globally. This could introduce additional challenges such as compatibility between different available grades of fuel that could have significant implications for the safety of the ship as well as its commercial operation.

While ICS is committed to helping to make the 2020 sulphur cap a success, the global trade association stresses that the full implementation picture is far from complete, and that primary responsibility for ensuring that compliant and compatible fuels will be available rests with oil suppliers, as well as those IMO Member States which have collectively agreed to implement this major regulatory change in 2020.

ICS also wants to see more progress by governments on addressing outstanding safety issues, including serious concerns about the fuel quality of new blended fuel oils, at the next meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee in December 2018.

‘Provisional Guidance to Shipping Companies and Crews on Preparing for Compliance with the 2020 Global Sulphur Cap’ can be found free of charge on the ICS website.

Latest News

Oldendorff Carriers announces change of leadership

(Posted on 28/03/23)

The board of Oldendorff Carriers, has appointed Patrick Hutchins as the new President and CEO of the... Read more


Swedish Club boosts management team

(Posted on 28/03/23)

The Swedish Club is looking to the future with the expansion and restructuring of the Club’s management... Read more


Groke brings new situation awareness expertise to One Sea

(Posted on 24/03/23)

One Sea has welcomeed Finnish start-up Groke Technologies as its new member, bringing additional expertise... Read more


ClassNK releases FAQs on EU-ETS for shipping

(Posted on 24/03/23)

ClassNK has released “FAQs on the EU-ETS for Shipping”, an overview and necessary preparation... Read more


New AXSMarine tool helps users visualize CO2 emissions and CII

(Posted on 20/03/23)

AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions for shipping professionals... Read more


Shipzero advances the decarbonization of logistics

(Posted on 20/03/23)

Shipzero is enabling transport and logistics companies to create transparency about their emissions... Read more


Isle of Man Ship Registry joins INTERCARGO

(Posted on 07/03/23)

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) has become an associate member of The International Association... Read more


More investment into crews’ health and nutrition says MCTC

(Posted on 07/03/23)

The wellbeing of crew members is becoming more important to shipping companies says leading catering... Read more


Strong demand and diversified vessel portfolio fuels strong Algoma performance

(Posted on 28/02/23)

Canada based Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the year ended 31 December, 2022... Read more


Ukrainian seafarers back, but many have suffered trauma

(Posted on 24/02/23)

Ukrainian seafarers have largely returned to international shipping thereby restoring balance in crew... Read more


Port of StocktonSailors SocietyBühler GmbHTOC Europe 2023Van AalstTBA Group
  • Vigan
  • Bühler GmbH

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping