EU Ports Sulphur Rule Clarified

EU Ports Sulphur Rule Clarified

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has released a statement to help dispel some confusion surrounding implementation of the EU directive requiring all ships to use low-sulphur fuel while at berth in EU ports. The EU Directive requires that, with effect from January 1, 2010, member states must take all necessary steps to ensure that ships at berth in EU ports do not use marine fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1 percent by mass. Although reports have been circulating in the industry that, because of the potential safety risks associated with the switchover on ships with unmodified boilers, the deadline may have been put back, IBIA stressed that such is not the case.

IBIA Chief Executive, Ian Adams, said, “There are very few exceptions to the rules. Although the European Commission has signified its awareness of the potential dangers associated with the switchover to low-sulphur fuel while in port, and has recommended to member states that they enforce the regulations with a degree of flexibility for a transitional period in those cases where there is detailed evidence of the existence of an approved plan for vessel and/or boiler modification, the directive is nevertheless now in force and EU member states are obliged to enforce it. This means that all non-compliant ships are at risk.”

The IBIA also emphasised that the operator of any ship bound for an EU port unable safely to comply with the EU directive should check with the relevant local authorities what control measures might be taken while the ship is berthed, before entering that port.