World Bunkering > News > Autumn 2009 > Environmental News

IBIA warning on sulphur content info

IBIA has warned its members of the dangers arising from the failure on the part of some suppliers to put authentic sulphur content results on Bunker Delivery Receipts.

Ian Adams says: “Clearly this is not in compliance with MARPOL requirements and may create a problem for shipowners in terms of the selection of correct feed rates and Total Base Numbers (TBN) of cylinder oil.

“Knowing the sulphur content of the fuel to be used is essential to engine efficiency and overall safety, and furthermore necessary to remain within the specific requirements applicable in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs). The sulphur content of the fuel should always be clearly stated on the BDR.”

IBIA emphasises that the ship’s chief engineer should be vigilant in studying the BDR sulphur result and then using the appropriate cylinder oil feed rate and TBN oil. “Engine manufacturer information should be obtained on this, and followed carefully to avoid engine problems when using low-sulphur fuel,” says Adams.

“Of course, in some ports, low-sulphur fuel is delivered even when it has not been specifically requested, because low-sulphur is the only type of fuel available in those places. Given the way in which fuel is traded, this can happen almost anywhere. For example, some ports in South America, West Africa and, in some instances, Canada, only have residual fuels with sulphur content of less than 1.0% m/m readily available.

“It is worth noting that if a BDR has the sulphur reported as less than 4.5% m/m and yet the sulphur content is known to be less than 1.5% m/m, some administrations may still not consider this fuel compliant for ECA operations, so it is essential for ships to ensure that the actual sulphur content is reported on the BDR.”

MEPC defers market-based instruments decision

The July meeting of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) made little progress on the thorny issue of imposing some sort of financial penalty/incentive scheme to cut the industry’s CO2 emissions, and only agreed a “work plan for its further consideration of market-based instruments (MBIs) to provide incentives for the shipping industry”. Agreement was reached, however, on a package of interim and voluntary technical and operational measures to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping.

An IMO statement says: “The Committee held an in-depth discussion on market-based instruments and agreed a work plan for its further consideration of the topic, as of its next session (MEPC 60, March 2010), to build on discussions and submissions to date, taking into account also relevant outcomes of the climate change conference (COP 15) that the United Nations will convene in Copenhagen in December 2009. Such instruments would have two main purposes: to offset growing emissions in other sectors, and to serve as an incentive for the industry to invest in more fuel-efficient technologies.”

The whole issue of market based instruments remains highly controversial with some sections of the industry and many EU governments committed to the idea of imposing a charging scheme of some sort. Opposition comes from some shipowning groups, notably the Greeks, and countries such as India and China who oppose their vessels being included as they say the Kyoto principles should apply, allowing them exemption from the scheme.

MEPC did agree interim guidelines on the method of calculation, and voluntary verification, of the Energy Efficiency Design Index for new ships, which is intended to stimulate innovation and technical development of all the elements influencing the energy efficiency of a ship from its design phase.

It also agreed on guidance on the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, for new and existing ships, which incorporates best practices for the fuel efficient operation of ships, as well as guidelines for voluntary use of the Ship Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator for new and existing ships, which enables operators to measure their fuel efficiency.

GSCC reiterates opposition to taxes on emissions

The London-based Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee (GSCC) has reiterated its opposition to any tax or “market based instrument” on greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, options which are both up for discussion at the IMO and the UN FCCC meeting in Copenhagen later this year.

“The maritime sector, on the basis tonne miles of cargo carried, is by far the most fuel efficient means of transport and produces the least harmful atmospheric emissions of any mode of transport,” GSCC chairman Epaminondas Embiricos said.

“Emissions from ships are different from those typical of other industry sectors. They are not of the same nature nor do they have the same impact on the environment, as those from other industrial sources and modes of transport.

“A number of eminent scientific studies show that this is the case and that emissions from ships have a net cooling effect,” he claimed. “This is due to the fact that vessels’ emissions include aerosols such as OC and SO4, which seed clouds, reflect solar radiation and cause cooling. In fact the cooling effect of SO4 is 200,000 times greater than the warming effect of CO2. Ships burn fuel containing sulphur, when on the high seas and away from populated coastal areas.

Indeed reducing these emissions on the high seas would be counterproductive. Shipping’s global cooling effect has been accepted by the IMO Study Group, which considered the matter.”

Maersk cuts CO2 emissions

The AP Moller - Maersk Group is reducing its impact on the climate with a drop of 9% in CO2 emissions in 2008 compared to the previous year. This represents a fall of five million tonnes of CO2 and, the company says, has been achieved through lower fuel consumption on ships and reduced flaring from platforms. The positive trend is continuing in 2009 in line with the Group’s new environmental strategy, which was decided last year and is now being implemented throughout the various business units. The significant CO2 reduction is one of the main achievements noted in its “Health, Safety, Security and Environment Report 2008”.

“We have taken many important initiatives in 2008 and we firmly believe they will enhance improvements in our performance in coming years,” says Head of Group HSSE, Joseph Nazareth. “Especially on environment I am pleased to say we have made progress. In the economic downturn we remain committed to improving our impact on the environment and climate.”

The Group’s transport segment, dominated by the container business in Maersk Line, is responsible for more than 90% of the Group’s fuel consumption but optimised usage of energy led to a drop of 8% in fuel consumption, despite increased business activity.

Evergreen helps greenhouse gas research

The first Evergreen vessel to participate in the Pacific Greenhouse Gases Measurement (PGGM) project, the 5,364 TEU Ever Ultra, completed her initial data-gathering voyage in early July. Evergreen Line is cooperating with the UK’s Cambridge University and Taiwan’s National Central University (NCU) by deploying a number of ships to measure hydrocarbon and halocarbon emission levels over the whole of the Pacific region.

The PGGM project is combining data from the FORMOSAT-3/ COSMIC satellites, commercial aircraft and with Evergreen Line’s participation, from container vessels. This is enabling scientists to monitor in three dimensions the distribution of greenhouse gases over the Pacific. This data will be extremely valuable for scientists now estimating the total emissions of greenhouse emissions in the Pacific region and represents one of the key contributions from Taiwan in the context of global warming and climate change.

By the end of 2009, Evergreen expects to have three ships gathering data on specific routes covering the Pacific, Caribbean and US Atlantic Coast, and the Indian Ocean and Middle East Gulf.

MSC Splendida’s EED label

Bureau Veritas has awarded its first Energy Efficient Design label to the new 3,952-passenger cruise vessel MSC Splendida. It is claimed that the vessel’s total energy consumption is 10% less than a more conventional or older vessel of the same size and that this is acheived “without any compromise on speed, comfort or hygiene”.

Didier Chaleat, senior vice-president, Bureau Veritas, says: “We are very proud to class this cutting edge vessel, and especially happy that such a fine ship has been the first to achieve the rigorous energy efficiency standards set out in our voluntary Energy Efficient Design scheme.

This covers the design of hull and appendices for maximum fuel efficiency, energy saving devices for energy production using the latest generation diesel generators and propulsion using high performance propellers driven by electric motors with frequency converters to optimise power to speed requirements.”

The vessel can reach 24 knots with twin 20MW main motors. The reduction of energy consumption of systems and equipment required for the public spaces such as air conditioning includes an automatic system to reduce cooling in case of no occupancy of a cabin, a free cooling system allowing climate control of areas without the ship producing air refrigeration, and lighting optimisation with LED lights. There is an advanced Passenger Cabin Monitoring system to most efficiently manage the passenger cabin air conditioning which takes into account when the balcony door is open or cabin card not in place. Low consumption bulbs are fitted in the cabins.