Liberia calls for early reporting on availability of 2020-compliant fuels

David Pascoe, Senior VP, Maritime Operations and Standards, Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry

SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 — Liberia has submitted a paper to IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) calling for early reporting on the availability of fuel oil that is compliant with the new 0.50 percent global fuel oil sulfur limit well in advance of January 1, 2020, the effective date when the new fuel oil must be used on board ships.

“Shipowners and operators hold a disproportionate responsibility in meeting the challenges associated with implementation of the 0.50 percent m/m global fuel oil sulfur limit and should not need to guess where or whether compliant fuel will be available,” says David Pascoe, Senior VP, Maritime Operations and Standards, Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the U.S.-based manager of the Liberian Registry.

“Smooth and effective implementation requires cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders, including states and fuel oil suppliers. It is critical that states carry out their responsibilities under MARPOL and SOLAS to promote the availability of fuel oils that are safe and which comply with the new sulfur limit, and report availability in their ports and terminals to IMO. IMO has established the means for states to effectively report through IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

“We are therefore urging IMO to issue a resolution or circular calling on states to report the availability of compliant fuel oil well in advance of January 1, 2020 to help shipowners and operators meet their responsibilities and to gain experience on the carriage and use of the new fuels on their ships, to test implementation plans, and to assist in a smooth and effective transition to the new regulatory requirements.”

Liberia’s submission to IMO comes after its cosponsorship, together with major flags and industry organizations, of an IMO paper proposing the establishment of an Experience Building Phase (EBP) to help address the safety implications and other challenges associated with 2020-compliant fuels.

Contrary to some inaccurate media reports, says LISCR, the paper proposing the EBP is not intended to delay the January 1, 2020 compliance date of the IMO global sulfur cap. That date has been agreed previously and supported by Liberia.