PORT enforcement agencies in the US and
around the world have stepped up their oversight of the IMO 2020 low
sulphur fuel regulation on March 1 to include detaining and fining ships
found to be carrying noncompliant fuel.
Starting March 1, ships found merely
storing - not just burning - high sulphur, noncompliant fuel will be in
violation of the regulation. Ships outfitted with a scrubber system that
can clean higher sulphur fuel exhaust gas after it's burned in the
engine are exempt, reported American Shipper.
"Since the introduction of IMO 2020 on 1st January, ships have been
given a 'grace period' while the industry transitions to low-sulphur
fuel," London-based International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) secretary general Guy Platten said in a statement. "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."
Mr Platten noted that the ICS "has been made aware that major port state
inspection regimes including the United States Coast Guard 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."
In addition to supply chain costs incurred by delays associated with an
unanticipated vessel detention, the Coast Guard has confirmed that
vessel owners may first receive a warning letter for violating the IMO
2020 regulation.
The Coast Guard could also issue an owner a "Notice of Violation", which
could include penalties of US$2,000 to $10,000. In addition, owners
could potentially be liable for civil penalties assessed by the US
Environmental Protection Agency of $75,000 per violation per day.
Mr Platten emphasised that ICS information shows shipowners as fully
compliant and ready for the new enforcement regime. "We are simply
reminding shipowners and operators that these new rules will come into
force."
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