Chamber Warns Ships on IMO Sulphur Rule
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has warned ships that failure to comply with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) sulphur rules risk detention.
Specifically, the Chamber said that from March 1, it became illegal for ships
to carry high-sulfur fuel oil (HFO) unless the ship is equipped with a scrubber.
The rule is that If any vessel is carrying non-compliant fuel in its bunker tanks, and it lacks a scrubber, such vessel will be subject to detention.
According to ICS in a report filed by The Maritime Executive, the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have signaled that they will rigorously enforce the requirements..
Chairman of the ICS , Guy Platten was reported saying, “Since the introduction of IMO 2020 on January 1, ships have been given a ‘grace period’ while the industry transitions to low-sulfur fuel. As of March 1 this will no longer be the case. Any ship found in non-compliance faces the prospect of serious fines and even detention
. “The International Chamber of Shipping has been made aware that major port State inspection regimes including the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that detention of ships found to be non-compliant is both possible and legally permissible.”
Platten said that ICS understands that shipowners are within compliance already, but wishes to issue a reminder.
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