Several shipping, refining, fuel supply and standards organizations, including CIMAC, OCIMF and IBIA, have collaborated to produce the Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.5% sulfur marine fuel, released on 20 August 2019.
The publication is designed to guide stakeholders across the marine fuels and shipping industries, from fuel blenders and suppliers to end-users. It presents the specific safety and operational issues relating to the supply and use of 0.5% sulfur fuels, an overview of fuel quality principles, and the controls that should be put in place to ensure that safety issues are identified, prevented and/or mitigated.
The report further addresses issues such as fuel compatibility, fuel stability, and fuel handling and storage, and contains a comprehensive review of existing operational factors that can affect safety. However, the report does not address issues related to compliance with Flag State, Port State or IMO rules or guidelines, or alternative means of compliance such as sulfur abatement systems (scrubbers), and does not include a discussion of alternative fuels such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen or methanol.
The publication will be supported by an e-learning course which is due to be released on October 2019 that aims to provide an understanding of MARPOL Annex VI and its potential impact on the management of fuels on board ships. It will also look to raise awareness of, and offer solutions to, potential fuel management issues.
Full Report: Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.5% sulfur marine fuel.