Low Sulfur Regulatory Update

As of August 1, 2012, ships operating in certain designated areas, including the 200 nautical mile coastal areas of the United States and Canada, must use fuel with lower sulfur content. There continues to be significant differences in bunkers offered to meet these requirements. Each possible fuel can cause operating problems as a result of compatibility, lubricity and storage. Drew Marine offers solutions to each potential problem. For an overall review of the current regulations and Drew’s recommended products and services, CLICK HERE.

MARPOL Annex V Regulatory Update

MARPOL Annex V has been amended per IMO Resolution MEPC.201(62). Under the amendments, effective 1 January 2013, the discharge of all “garbage” into the sea will be prohibited. Generally, under Annex V, allowable discharge of garbage is restricted to food wastes, animal carcasses, identified cleaning agents and additives, identified cargo residues, and identified cargo residues entrained in wash water.

The amendments apply to those cleaning agents and additives used for cargo hold cleaning, external surface washing, and deck washing. Cleaning agents/additives used in said applications are considered “operational wastes” and thus garbage under MARPOL Annex V. Operational wastes do not include grey water, bilge water, or other similar discharges essential to the operation of a ship, taking into account guidelines developed by the IMO, i.e., 2012 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex V. The guidelines define other similar discharges essential to the operation of the ship, including boiler/economizer blow down, machinery waste water, and gas turbine wash water, to name a few.

While cleaning agents and additives contained in hold wash water and deck and external surface wash water are considered "operational wastes" and thus "garbage" under Annex V, these cleaning agents and additives may be discharged into the sea in so long as they are not harmful to the marine environment. Note: There are discharge limitations, depending on the vessel’s area of operation.

A cleaning agent or additive is considered harmful to the marine environment if it:

• is classified a "harmful substance" in accordance with the criteria in MARPOL Annex III
  (One that is classified as a marine pollutant under IMDG Code.); or
• contains any component which is known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxin (CMR).

Drew Marine’s recommended cleaners for cargo hold cleaning and external surface/deck wash are compliant with the MARPOL Annex V Amendments. For additional information on our recommended cargo hold cleaners for bulk carriers, contact your Drew Marine representative.

For a copy of IMO’s Simplified overview of the discharge provisions of the revised MARPOL Annex V (resolution MEPC.201(62)), which will enter into force on 1 January 2013. CLICK HERE.

Drinking Water Regulatory Update

ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 will enter into force on August 20, 2013.  The MLC requires crews be provided with quality drinking water.  Additionally, MLC requires auditors (e.g., Flag/Class) to verify that there are frequent and documented inspections and monitoring of drinking water.   Port State Control provisions of the MLC also mandate that ships of all countries (irrespective of Flag State ratification) will be subject to inspection by Port State Inspectors when those vessels call at ports of signatory Port States. For more specific information on the Drew Marine solution to drinking water monitoring. CLICK HERE.

Refrigerant Industry Update

The United States’ original planning called for elimination of R-22 by 2015 by stair-stepping the amount of
R-22 available in the marketplace. The US model established a baseline volume for the year 2000 with reductions in 2004 and 2008 coupled with the elimination of R-22 in some new air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. In 2009 a new model was developed reducing year-to-year production and availability annually in order to create a balanced phase-out by 2015. Under this model, supply and demand have been relatively well matched. Through 2011 there has been sufficient R-22 in the US market for the international marine requirements. CLICK HERE to download Refrigerant Industry Update.

Fixed Fire Extinguishing Foam Concentrate Regulatory Update

In June 2009, the IMO issued MSC.1/Circ. 1312 “Revised Guidelines for the Performance and Testing Criteria and Surveys of Foam Concentrates for Fixed Fire-Extinguishing Systems.” This circular supersedes MSC 582 and adds additional fire testing requirements for alcohol resistant foam concentrates.

DMS is aware that many alcohol resistant foam concentrates currently onboard vessels cannot pass the fire tests. Some of these foams are type approved by Classification Societies; however, per the IMO circular, the approvals are only valid until1 July 2012. Shipowners and operators have been searching for a suitable replacement and finding that some “new and improved” formulations still cannot meet the criteria. CLICK HERE for Drew Marine Safety’s solution for MSC.1/Circ. 1312 compliant foam concentrates.

Please contact your local Drew Marine Account Representative for further information.