(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) As the global shipping industry prepares for the arrival of the global sulphur cap in January 2020, the operation of ships in a multi-fuel future is a fast approaching reality. European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)Â has posted the document Sulphur Inspection Guidance. It is intended to provide guidance to EU port state control agencies for a harmonized approach to the inspection of ships, ascertaining their compliance, identifying non-compliances, and applying control procedures for the enforcement of Directive (EU) 2016/802 (codification of Council Directive 1999/32/EC), as regards the sulphur content of marine fuels. This is an updated version of the same document with issue date May 2018.
The provisions of the Directive apply to all ships of all flags, including domestic shipping and those whose journey began outside the EU. It sets sulphur content limits in the marine fuels that can be used by ships
in territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones of the EU Member States, including SOx Emission Control Areas (SECA).
The limitations on the sulphur content of certain fuels shall in principle not apply to e.g. fuels used by warships and other vessels under military service, and to fuels used on board vessels employing emission abatement methods in accordance with the Directive. Under some exceptional circumstances, the limitations on the sulphur content of fuels used by ships shall also not apply.
Any sulphur inspection can only focus on the operation and behavior of a ship while in areas and ports of the geographical jurisdiction of the Member State. However, additional enforcement actions may be
required in accordance with international maritime law.
The full guidance can be downloaded by clicking the below image.