New fuel regulations for Arctic and Med

The Arctic region will ban the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil with effect from next year and the Mediterranean Sea will become an emission control area for SOx with effect from the following year.

Arctic waters – prohibition on the use and carriage for use of HFO

From 1 July 2024, HFO may no longer be used or carried as domestic fuel in bunker tanks when in Arctic waters (with some exceptions).

HFO in this context implies fuel oil having a density at 15°C higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity at 50°C higher than 180 mm2/s. It has been discussed whether to also include the pour point as an additional qualifier in the future, but this has not yet been concluded.

The cleaning or flushing of bunker tanks or pipelines is not required after using HFO to prepare for operation within Arctic waters. HFO carried as cargo on tankers is not affected by this regulation.

Mediterranean Sea – new ECA for SOx

As of 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean Sea will ECA for SOx under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. This implies that from then on when operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the sulphur content of the fuel used on board shall not exceed 0.10%, unless using an exhaust gas cleaning system that ensures emissions are at or below that level.

Currently the Baltic Sea, North Sea, North American and US Caribbean Seas are all subject to the same regulation with other areas, such as the north-east Atlantic, potentially being brought in line in the future.

Recommendations

DNV recommends that shippers ensure sufficient compliant fuel is available before entering the Mediterranean Sea and that ships entering Arctic waters ensure any remaining HFO is disposed of before entering unless the ship is exempt.