(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) As a reminder to our readers, effective 1 January 2022, South Korea is implementing the mandatory use of 0.1% sulphur fuel or alternative means of compliance, while “navigating”, berthing and anchoring in the above SECAs (From the entry into SECA until the exit). “while navigating”, means transiting or passing these SECA areas.
As such, it will be mandatory to use fuel with maximum 0.1% sulphur content while navigating within the South Korean SECA. The current regulations only apply to vessels anchored or berthing in port areas of Incheon, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin, Yeosu-Gwangyang, Busan and Ulsan. However, from 1 January 2022, ships will be required to use 0.10% sulphur fuel when navigating or operating in the designated zones (SECAs) encompassing the abovementioned ports.
As such, vessels intending to operate in the South Korean SECA should complete the fuel changeover to low sulphur fuel oil (with sulphur content not exceeding 0.10%) before entering this area and will be required to continue using compliant fuel until leaving this area.
The use of exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) instead of using 0.10% low sulphur fuel oil is allowed and currently there are no restrictions applied on the discharge of wash-water from open-loop scrubbers.
Readers are recommended to ensure proper records are maintained, i.e., the date, time, and position when the vessel switched over to low sulphur fuel oil (0.50% → 0.10%) or changed the operation mode of the EGCS prior to entry into Korea SECA should be properly documented.
For relevant maps showing the relevant areas, click below to download:
