The technical impact of low sulphur fuels

The MARPOL Annex VI treaty, which deals with the prevention of ship-source air pollution in the form of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and other air-borne pollutants, was first adopted in 1997. Full ratification requires the approval of 15 member states at the International Maritime Organization, with a combined merchant fleet of not less than 50% of the world?s gross tonnage.

Ratification has been so long in coming that several regionally applicable requirements have since come into force. Most notable is the European Commission?s (EC) directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels (1999/32/EC). Annex VI is expected to finally come into force in 2004, with 11 member states, comprising 54% of the world?s tonnage, having ratified the treaty.

The EC directive is far more stringent and has been the cause of much debate, both within the shipowning community and the bunker industry. The directive calls for all marine distillate grades (ISO8217 DMX, DMA, DMB and DMC grades) to have a sulphur content of no greater than 0.2% for use within the European Union (EU) and imposed this requirement on July 1, 2000. The limit is to be further reduced to 0.1% by January 1, 2008.

The directive is currently being amended to include:

l A cap of 1.5% in the North Sea, the English Channel and the Baltic Sea to bring the directive in line with MARPOL Annex VI regarding SOx emission control areas (SECAs)

l A cap of 1.5% for passenger vessels on regular services to and from EU ports

l A cap of 0.2% on fuels consumed by ships at berth in EU ports

l The commencement of trials for abatement technologies.

The amendments were recently put in front of the European Parliament, where 37 of the proposed amendments were passed and further amendments were suggested. These include:

l A cap of 0.5% in SECAs from December 31, 2008

l A cap of 1.5% throughout community waters by the end of 2010

l A further reduction to 0.5% throughout community waters by 2012.

The Commission, however, rejected these proposals and its member states are currently in consultation. The next step in the process will see the return of counter-proposals to the European Parliament for a second reading. If they are accepted, the directive will effectively be passed in something closely approximating its current form.

Impact on operators

The biggest impact on ship operators running single fuel policy ships is likely to stem from the requirement to use a fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.2% while at berth in EC ports. Since fuel with this low a sulphur content is currently unavailable, operators will have to use marine gas oil (MGO) instead. However, the use of such oil may affect the operation of main and auxiliary machinery, and it is believed by some that vessel safety may be compromised when navigating coastal waters as a result of being unable to supply or maintain the required power. Keeping these factors in mind, it is imperative that procedures for switching over be carefully considered.