Relevant (non-exhaustive) list of IMO instruments:

TREATY

• MARPOLAnnexVIregulation14,includingthe0.50%sulphurlimitfrom1January2020

• AmendmentstoMARPOLAnnexVI(Prohibitiononthecarriageofnon-compliantfueloilforcombustionpurposesforpropulsionoroperationonboardaship),enterintoforcefrom1March2020(MEPC.305(73))

IMPLEMENTATION

• 2019Guidelinesforconsistentimplementationof0.50%sulphurlimitunderMARPOLAnnexVI(MEPC.320(74))

• Guidanceonthedevelopmentofashipimplementationplanfortheconsistentimplementationofthe0.50%sulphurlimitunderMARPOLAnnexVI(MEPC.1/Circ.878)

BEST PRACTICE

• Guidanceonbestpracticeforfueloilpurchasers/usersforassuringthequalityoffueloilusedonboardships(MEPC.1/Circ.875)

• Guidanceonbestpracticeforfueloilsuppliersforassuringthequalityoffueloildeliveredtoships

(MEPC.1/Circ.875/Add.1)

• GuidanceforbestpracticeforMemberState/coastalState(MEPC.1/Circ.884)

• Deliveryofcompliantfueloilbysuppliers(MSC-MEPC.5/Circ.15)

• Interimrecommendationstoenhancethesafetyofshipsrelatingtotheuseofoilfuel(MSC.465(101))

PORT STATE CONTROL / SAMPLING

• 2019GuidelinesforportStatecontrolunderMARPOLAnnexVIChapter3(2019PSCGuidelines)(MEPC.321(74))

• GuidanceforportStatecontroloncontingencymeasuresforaddressingnon-compliantfueloil(MEPC.1/Circ.881)

• 2019Guidelinesforonboardsamplingfortheverificationofthesulphurcontentofthefueloilusedonboardships(MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1)

OTHER CIRCULARS

• EarlyapplicationoftheapprovedamendmentstotheverificationproceduresforaMARPOLAnnexVIfueloilsample(MEPC.1/Circ.882)

• Guidanceonindicationofongoingcomplianceinthecaseofthefailureofasinglemonitoringinstrument,andrecommendedactionstotakeiftheExhaustGasCleaningSystem(EGCS)failstomeettheprovisionsofthe2015EGCSGuidelines(MEPC.259(68))(MEPC.1/Circ.883)

• Reportingofavailabilityofcompliantfueloilsinaccordancewithregulation18.1ofMARPOLAnnexVI(MEPC.1/Circ.880)

• ReportingofdatarelatedtofueloilavailabilityandqualityinGISIStopromotegreaterunderstandingoftheconsistentimplementationofthe0.50%m/mSulphurlimitunderMARPOLAnnexVI(MEPC.1/Circ.887)

What is the sulphur 2020 limit?

From1January2020,thelimitforsulphurinfueloilusedonboardshipsoperatingoutsidedesignatedemissioncontrolareaswillbereducedto0.50%m/m(massbymass),from3.50%m/m.

ThislimitissetinAnnexVIoftheInternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO)InternationalconventionforthePreventionofPollutionfromShips(MARPOL).

How can ships comply?

i) Useacompliantfueloilwithasulphurcontent thatdoesnotexceed0.50%ii) Ifexceeding0.50%,useanequivalent e.g.anExhaustGasCleaningSystem(“scrubber”)iii) Useanalternativefuele.g.LNG,methanoliv) Useonshorepowersupplywhenatberth

What must ships do before 1 January 2020?

Shipoperatorsandownersmustplanahead.IMOhasissuedguidance,includingshipimplementationandplanningguidance.

Who is responsible for enforcement?

MonitoringandenforcementofthenewlimitfallstoGovernmentsandnationalauthoritiesofMemberStatesthatarePartiestoMARPOLAnnexVI.

FlagStates(theStateofregistryofaship)andportStateshaverightsandresponsibilitiestoenforcecompliance.

What is IMO doing to help implementation?

IMOhasbeenworkingwithMemberStatesaswellastheshippingindustry,bunkersuppliersandrefinerstoidentifyandmitigatetransitionalissuessothatshipsmaymeetthenewrequirement.

Arangeofguidancehasbeendeveloped,includingspecificportStatecontrolguidelinesandguidelinesonconsistentimplementation.

Are there any exemptions?

Ifashipsimplycannotobtaincompliantfueloil,theycancompleteaFuelOilNon-AvailabilityReport(FONAR).ThiscanbetakenintoaccountbyportStatecontrol,butisnotanexemption.

Where can I find out more?

AlistofIMOmeasurestosupportimplementationofthe0.50%limitcanbefoundopposite.

Pleasevisitwww.imo.orgforfurtherinformation.

IMO 2020 - FAQs IMO Instruments