EU "no leeway" on 1.1.2010 deadline for 0.1%S MGO

Published in Lloyds List 13th Nov 2009

Operators warned over European fuel deadline

Vessels that breach low-sulphur limits risk enforcement action

Justin Stares - Friday 13 November 2009

SHIP operators whose vessels are not equipped to burn low-sulphur fuel by the start of next year have been given a stark choice by the European Commission: risk breaking the law or avoid calling at European Union ports.

There is no chance of extending the January 1 deadline for 0.1% fuel at berth or anchor, the Brussels executive said. Operators must decide whether to “risk possible enforcement action” by member state competent authorities.

The commission statement follows requests by the industry to extend the deadline by a year. According to tanker association Intertanko, “quite a few” tankers are not ready for the change, although neither regulators nor the industry know exactly how many.

Without the necessary technical modifications there was a risk of engine room explosion if low-sulphur fuel was used. Attention has focused on the tanker fleet, though other types of ship are also said to be affected.

“The commission does not have the power to suspend the date of entry into force of the obligation to use 0.1% sulphur fuel in community ports,” the commission’s directorate-general for the environment said.

“From January 1, 2010, shipowners that have not made the necessary technical adaptations must decide whether to risk possible enforcement action by the member state competent authorities or to avoid visiting community ports until such time that they are able to comply with the directive’s requirements.”

The commission said the industry had plenty of time to prepare for the change, as the revision of the so-called sulphur directive dated back to 2005. The January 2010 deadline was chosen “to allow sufficient time for the maritime industry to bring about technical adaptation to the 0.1% limit,” the commission said, quoting the directive’s own wording.

Intertanko said it had predicted the problem five years ago. “We told the [commission] this might happen before [the directive] was adopted,” said Intertanko assistant director Kristian Fuglesang. “Quite a few tankers will be affected.”

Without a chance of a deadline extension, Intertanko is hoping prosecutions can be avoided if a ship operator can provide proof the engine conversion process has begun. Engine conversion and certification is said to take around eight months.

Implementing the low-sulphur directive was key for the EU’s air quality, the commission said. “The use of low-sulphur fuels in community ports is only one component in a programme where the community has taken measures to improve ambient air quality. Many member states are relying on the sulphur in fuels rules coming into force in order to meet mandatory air quality limits.”

Any leeway in implementing the rules will depend on the goodwill of national authorities.

8th June 2009 02:29 GMT

The Singapore bunker industry may soon have a new standard aimed at improving the measurement of bunker fuel during transfer.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and SPRING Singapore are planning a Working Group under the Technical Committee on Bunkering to look at introducing mass flow meter technology.

The Working Group will be made up of stakeholders such as oil terminals, ship owners, surveyors, bunker craft operators, bunker suppliers, mass flow meter vendors and oil majors.

Between 2009 and 2010, the Working Group will oversee trials on mass flow meters and develop documentation requirements.

The Working Group will also determine an auditing system for installed mass flow meters to ensure they are tamper-proof.

A draft Singapore Standard for Mass Flow Meters is expected to be ready in 2010.

"A draft Singapore Standard for Mass Flow Meters is expected to be ready in 2010."Its aim will be to increase the efficiency of bunker fuel transfer process and minimise bunker quantity disputes.

Currently, the industry relies on manual tank gauging or sounding to determine the quantity of bunkers delivered or received, a process that can be time consuming and which requires calculations.

The mass flow meter, known as as Coriolis flow meter or Inertial flow meter, measures mass directly and is able to detect air in the flow.

Local sources told Bunkerworld that the cost of installing a mass flow meter is below $100,000 for small vessels and close to $100,000 for container ships.

Bunkerworld understands that MPA would not make it compulsory for bunker tanker operators to install the flow meters onto their whole fleet.

The Coriolis flow meter has been in the market for over 30 years, introduced by Micro Motion. Today over 600,000 Coriolis meters are being used across a variety of industries.

Oil major BP has started trials more than two years ago on a bunker tanker and leading shipping firm Maersk has said it will eventually install the flow meters on its entire fleet of vessels.

Vendors of mass flow meters include Emerson Process Management and Endress+Hauser.

Vendors have expressed interests in running trials of the mass flow meters on bunker tankers and ships, and will seek to create awareness of the technology in the Singapore market over the next few months, Bunkerworld was told.

Lee Hong Liang, 8th June 2009 02:29 GMT

Quality Corner

INTERTANKO LONDON

NEWS RELEASE EMSA TECHNICAL MEETING ON USE OF 0.1% SULPHUR CONTENT FUEL

Monday 19 October 2009

European Marine Safety Agency (EMSA) Technical Meeting on use of 0.1% sulphur content fuel

EU Directive 2005/33/EC, also known as the EU Sulphur Directive, includes a provision (article 4b) which requires that as from 1 January 2010,  when at berth (and/or at anchor) longer than 2 hours in a EU port, ships utilise 0.1% sulphur content fuel.

Compliance with such a provision would require an evaluation on whether current onboard installations, designed and made to run on residual fuels with regular sulphur content, need any adjustments and eventual upgrades.

Particular concern was expressed by INTERTANKO and OCIMF over the switch from HFO to ultra low sulphur content MGO into the auxiliary boilers of oil tankers. We have reported earlier this year on the various joint INTERTANKO/OCIMF meetings and discussions with the EU Commission and a large number of EU Member States.

It had become apparent for regulators that there is a need for a safety evaluation to be preformed across the industry. Therefore, EMSA called this meeting inviting ship owners, class and engine and boiler manufacturers to attend. The meeting considered a report on the Use of distillate fuels by ships at berth (also called AEA report) which identifies a number of areas of concern and implies there is a need for a safety evaluation since ships are to be required to use such a fuel.  

INTERTANKO and OCIMF made a joint intervention to recommend that manufacturers perform risk assessments and provide safe solutions, as and if appropriate. Experience so far indicates that such evaluations and upgrades take quite some time. INTERTANKO and OCIMF asked for a phase-in period up to 1 January 2011 so enough number of tankers and their onboard installations could be safely evaluated and eventually modified.  

The boiler manufacturers (Aalborg) and Class (IACS) presentations indicated that there is a need for such evaluations and that the process would take time beyond the deadline of 1 January 2010. It also pointed out that there is no standard to define and thus to check the required "marine fuel with a maximum 0.1% sulphur content". Concerns with regard to too low viscosity and to lack of lubricity were also added.

The EMSA meeting was of a technical nature. The EMSA and DG TREN representatives will prepare a report to the EU Commission, noting the facts as presented and the discussions during this meeting. It will be up to  the Commission to assess and eventually suggest any follow-up action.

Norman Webster - The Voice of the CMA

Norman Webster of Avon, died on Saturday, October 17 after a two year long battle with leukemia. His wife of 19 years, and his adult son and daughter were at his bedside when he died.

Throughout his illness, he received exceptional care from the staffs of UConn Medical Center and Yale New Haven Hospital to whom the family extends their thanks.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Webster and their two daughters, Kilian and Emily of Avon; his son, Jason, Jason's wife, Lora, and their children, Graydon, Abigail and Mia of Pembroke, MA; and his daughter Cheryl Smith, her husband, Ed, and their children, Emma, Rebecca and Gwen of Fairfield. 

Norman's eldest son, Graydon, died in an air collision in 1992 while serving in the US Navy. His sisters, Ray, Margaret and Edith and many nephews and nieces in South Africa, and his sister, Norma, living on the Isle of Wight, also survive Norman.

Norman Webster was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the son of a harbor crane operator, on November 21, 1940. Norman came to America with his family in 1977, and settled in Greenwich. He married Suzanne in 1990, and moved to Avon with Suzanne and their children Kilian and Emily in 2001.

The consummate entrepreneur, Norman began his career in the early computer industry and transitioned into the maritime industry in the 1990's. This career afforded him a relationship he enjoyed with the Connecticut Maritime Association. He is also a former member of the New York Yacht Club.

While Norman enjoyed golf, sailing and mentoring young people in theater, sports and Christian life, he was happiest surrounded by his children and grandchildren at his home in Avon.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday (Oct. 24) at 11:00am in the Memorial United Methodist Church, Avon.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to help pay for Kilian and Emily's educations will be accepted with gratitude.  Please send donations in care of Pastor Florence Eddins, Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 West Avon Road, Avon, CT 06001. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

CMA Softball Final

CMA Softball final

 

The second round of the playoffs saw the two top seeds being knocked off. First Odin upended Fairfield 25-12. Then came the showdown between Glencore and Stolt. Glencore hit the ball well but it seemed it was always just within reach of a Stolt fielder. Stolt-Nielsen continued it's trend of getting better as the season progresses. Final score Stolt 16 Glencore 3.

 

 

Now to the grand finale

  

Last night was as an exciting Championship game as I have seen in years. Through the assistance of Dennis Conetta of Stolt-Nielsen we were able to secure Scalzi Park with lights for the final game. Good thing as they certainly came into play.

 

Throughout the game it was hard to tell from the Stolt bench who was ahead as they continued to cheer every aspect of the game regardless of the score. Stolt brought a good crowd and they enjoyed every minute there. At the end of the 7th inning the tally stood at 10 runs each meaning extra inning under the lights. The top of the 8th Stolt went down in order putting them at  the mercy of the mighty bats of Odin. With two runners on and two out Odin hits a frozen rope unfortunately right at the shortstop. It was the type of hit that when it hits the glove you can hear the smack loud and clear. Now we head to the 9th where Stolt finds their hitting stroke and knocks in 3 runs. In typical Yankee (or some might say Red Sox) fashion Odin returned the favor plus one for a walk-off 14-13 victory.

 

Congratulations to Odin on their hard fought win. Congratulation to Stolt-Nielsen for a strong finish to their season.

 

I will let everyone know when the trophies will be awarded.

 

Thanks to everyone for making it a most enjoyable season.

 

Chris Towne

The Commish