AUGUST 2004 - MARITIME JOURNAL

The Marpol Annex VI regulations centre round ensuring vessels limit pollution in the Baltic and North Sea Emission Control Area (ECA), and time is running out for shipowners to comply.

The regulations were brought into force in 2005 and ship owners have until January 2015 to ensure they comply.

“Time is running out for businesses and private owners affected by Annex VI of the Marpol regulations. Focusing on air pollution, this section of the regulations covers the minimisation of harmful sulphur oxide (SOx) and Nitros oxide (NOx) gases,” explained Glyn Humphries from UK-based environmental services responder for ports and harbours, Adler and Allan.

To reduce sulphur oxide, from January 2015, any fuel used onboard ships and sea-based platforms in the Baltic and North Sea ECA should not exceed sulphur levels 0.10%.

“Currently, the three year average sulphur content in fuel oils stand at 2.46%, meaning many vessels, that haven’t done so already, will need to take steps to improve fuel quality,” added Mr Glyn.

Fuel affected include heavy fuel oils (HFO), marine diesel oils and gas oils. The regulations also prohibit the deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances, such as those which could occur through burning HFOs.

“Ship owners much make sure they choose fuel suppliers which guarantee product that meets the stipulated low sulphur content; gas oil is likely to be the new fuel of choice. Before new fuels are used, however, their containment tanks and fuel systems must be properly cleaned to prevent the risk of contamination. In addition, qualifying vessels must keep a list of equipment containing ozone depleting substances on board and take steps to limit Nitros Oxide (NOx) levels,” concluded Mr Glyn.

FISH RESPONSIBLY - We need fish for food that are toxin free. But, modern fishing boats and ships pollute the seas as they wreak havoc with the eco system using their nets, while pumping exhaust fumes into the atmosphere.  It's a MARPOL nightmare that needs to be reigned in until fishing fleets are no longer marine polluters, and ocean plastic, and other wastes are addressed. We are a long way off, but there are possible solutions just over the horizon.

1st JANUARY 2014 - 2010 October MARPOL amendments

The amendments which entered into force on 1 January 2014 include a revised MARPOL Annex III Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, to include changes to the Annex to coincide with the next update of the mandatory International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, specifying that goods should be shipped in accordance with relevant provisions.

United States Caribbean ECA now effective 

The United States Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area (SOx, NOx and PM) came into effect, under MARPOL Annex VI, on 1 January 2014, bringing in stricter controls on emissions of sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter for ships trading in certain waters adjacent to the coasts of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

The ECA was designated under MARPOL amendments adopted in July 2011. There are now four three designated ECAs in effect globally: the United States Caribbean Sea ECA and the North American ECA; and the sulfur oxide ECAs in the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area. 

See: MARPOL Annex VI regulation 14. Coordinates for the Caribbean Sea ECA can be found in Resolution MEPC.202(62).

MARPOL HISTORY

Marpol 73/78 is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978. ("Marpol" is short for marine pollution and 73/78 short for the years 1973 and 1978.)

Marpol 73/78 is one of the most important international marine environmental conventions. It was designed to minimize pollution of the seas, including dumping, oil and exhaust pollution. Its stated object is to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances.

The original MARPOL was signed on 17 February 1973, but did not come into force due to lack of ratifications. The current convention is a combination of 1973 Convention and the 1978 Protocol. It entered into force on 2 October 1983. As of May 2013, 152 states, representing 99.2 per cent of the world's shipping tonnage, are parties to the convention.

All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL are subject to its requirements, regardless of where they sail and member nations are responsible for vessels registered under their respective nationalities.

IMPLEMENTATION & ENFORCEMENT

In order for IMO standards to be binding, they must first be ratified by a total number of member countries whose combined gross tonnage represents at least 50% of the world's gross tonnage, a process that can be lengthy. A system of tacit acceptance has therefore been put into place, whereby if no objections are heard from a member state after a certain period has elapsed, it is assumed they have assented to the treaty.

All six Annexes have been ratified by the requisite number of nations; the most recent is Annex VI, which took effect in May 2005. The country where a ship is registered (Flag State) is responsible for certifying the ship's compliance with MARPOL's pollution prevention standards. Each signatory nation is responsible for enacting domestic laws to implement the convention and effectively pledges to comply with the convention, annexes, and related laws of other nations. In the United States, for example, the relevant implementation legislation is the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.

One of the difficulties in implementing MARPOL arises from the very international nature of maritime shipping. The country that the ship visits can conduct its own examination to verify a ship's compliance with international standards and can detain the ship if it finds significant noncompliance. When incidents occur outside such country's jurisdiction or jurisdiction cannot be determined, the country refers cases to flag states, in accordance with MARPOL. A 2000 GAO report documented that even when referrals have been made, the response rate from flag states has been poor.

Marpol 73/78 is one of the most important international marine environmental conventions. It was designed to minimize pollution of the seas, including dumping, oil and exhaust pollution. Its stated object is to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances.

The original MARPOL was signed on 17 February 1973, but did not come into force due to lack of ratifications. The current convention is a combination of 1973 Convention and the 1978 Protocol. It entered into force on 2 October 1983. As of May 2013, 152 states, representing 99.2 per cent of the world's shipping tonnage, are parties to the convention.

All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL are subject to its requirements, regardless of where they sail and member nations are responsible for vessels registered under their respective nationalities.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (POLLUTION) ACT 2006

The Merchant Shipping (Pollution) Act 2006 (c 8) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It has three main purposes: to give effect to the Supplementary Fund Protocol 2003, to give effect to Annex IV of the MARPOL Convention, and to amend section 178(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

HORIZON 2020 - RESEARCH COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY

No doubt spurred on by MARPOL, the EU is looking for proposals that will eventually give zero, or near zero emission ocean transport. Bluebird Marine Systems Ltd is looking for European partners to prove the concept of a zero emission hybrid vessel that harvests a mix of solar and wind energy to give cruising speeds that will be competitive against ships using expensive bunker fuels. Please contact us urgently if this is of interest to your organization.

LINKS:

http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/SOLAS-MARPOL-Amendments-Enter-Into-Force-2014-01-02/

http://www.imo.org/international-convention-for-the-prevention-of-pollution-from-ships-(marpol)

Liquid minerals fuels

Platts commodity oil

Platts Shipping Bunker Fuel

PEJ news

Assa-kz Bunker

WP marine bunker_fuel

Kittiwake bunker fuel testing analysis

MARPOL

Marine_fuel_management

Merchant_Shipping_(Pollution)_Act_2006

Fuel_oils

http://www.liquidminerals.com/fuels.htm

http://www.platts.com/commodity/oil

http://www.platts.com/Shipping/BunkerFuel

http://pejnews.com

http://www.assa-kz.com/en/services/Bunker/

http://www.wp-marine.co.uk/bunker_fuel.html

http://www.kittiwake.com/bunker-fuel-testing-analysis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARPOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_fuel_management

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Shipping_(Pollution)_Act_2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_oil

Forget bunker fuel, electric ships are now possible that operate on nothing but energy harvested directly from nature. The Bluebird ZCC above is a 50 ton vessel with a low frontal area and hyper stable SWASH hull, as with the proposed merchant ZZC platforms. This version is upgraded to 40kW wind turbines. The total energy harvesting capacity of this design is around 176kW (235hp), giving an Energy Harvested to Displacement ratio (EH/D) of 3.52kW/ton (4.72hp/ton). Larger versions of this format could be the emission free cargo ships of the future. The hull is 50m (163ft) hull on the waterline, length OAL is 56M (183ft). The sprint speed of this craft will be in the 20+ knot region - dependent on active hull deployment, booster motor specifications and hull treatments.

The cost of diesel fuel to operate this ship continuously for a year is approximately: .29gals/hp x 117 x 24 x 365 = $297,226.80 (£183,393.99) In ten years that would be $2.97M (£1.83M). Fuel for thought! 

Alternatively, Navies may reduce their fleet's carbon footprint by replacing craft that would otherwise belch black smoke with as many of the above ZCCs as they can use for mine sweeping, hydrography, pirate patrols and other duties - so keeping larger, older, warships that take time to replace, afloat for longer.

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