Hot Port News from GAC
31-Dec-2019
MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY CONVENTION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2019
Singapore
SANITARY COSTS
Turkey
EXHAUST GAS CLEANING SYSTEM (EGCS)
Bahrain
USE OF LOW SULPHUR FUEL OIL & INSTALLATION OF SCRUBBERS IN SUEZ CANAL
Suez Canal, Egypt
Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (amendment) Regulations 2019
Tuesday, December 31, 2019, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has advised the shipping community on the entering into force of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations 2019. The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) had adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) at its 96th, 97th, 98th and 99th sessions through Resolutions MSC.404(96), MSC.409(97), MSC.421(98) and MSC.436(99). The Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations 2019 which gives effect to the Resolutions adopted by the IMO, will enter into force on 1 January 2020. The shipping community may access the legislation online at the website of Singapore Attorney-General’s Chamber – Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.
For information about shipping operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Sanitary costs
Tuesday, December 31, 2019, Turkey
Sanitary costs for vessels calling Turkish Ports in 2020 will be as follows:
1.52 Turkish Liras – Full sanitary cost for foreign flagged vessels / for over 50 NT vessels
0.53 Turkish Liras – Discounted sanitary cost for scientific research and tourist vessels
1.21 Turkish Liras – Turkish-flagged vessels’ sanitary cost for NT of between 50 and 250
2.73 Turkish Liras – Turkish-flagged vessels’ sanitary cost for NT of 250 and above
For information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS)
Tuesday, December 31, 2019, Bahrain
The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications has released a set of instructions for all Bahraini flagged vessels and foreign flagged vessels calling Bahraini ports or operating in Bahraini waters that intend to use the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) in compliance with the sulphur limit of 0.50 % (m/m) in fuel oil from 1 January 2020. They apply to:
a) All seagoing Bahraini flagged vessels (150 GT and above) registered under Amiri decree no. 14/1978 with respect to law for registration of ship and determination of safety conditions thereof.
b) All foreign flagged vessels visiting Bahraini waters.
Use of EGCS:
1. Under “Equivalents” principle, ships may use approved equivalent methods, such as EGCS “scrubbers”, which clean the emissions before they are released into the atmosphere, provided it meet the requirements of IMO 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems adopted by resolution MEPC.259(68).
2. Each EGC unit (two schemes A and B are available) should be approved by flag authority or Recognized Organizations (RO) on behalf of the flag administration and issued with a Compliance Certificate by the flag administration or RO.
3. In both Schemes, the condition of discharged washwater used in the scrubbing process is to be monitored and recorded.
Discharging of EGCS Washwater:
1. Discharging of washwater from open loop mode EGC systems (Scrubber) is prohibited when ship is within limit of port of Bahrain including the anchorage area.
2. Discharging of washwater from open loop mode EGC systems (Scrubber) into Bahraini territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is not permitted unless it can be proven that the discharge of washwater complies with the IMO 2015 guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems (MEPC.259(68)) and there is no negative impact on marine ecosystems.
3. Master of any vessels shall obtain a permit from Marine Safety & Environment Protection Directorate (MSEPD) at PMA before undertaking any discharge of washwater within the waters of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ships intending to discharge of washwater into the sea must submit their request to MSEPD before discharging and provide the following information to msep@mtt.gov.bh : a) Vessel name
b) IMO number
c) Arrival port
d) Arrival date
e) EGCS Scheme A or Scheme B approval
f) Make and Model of EGCS
g) Open-loop, closed-loop or hybrid type system
h) Results of all washwater testing that has been undertaken in accordance with 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems.
For h), washwater testing should be conducted upon commissioning of the EGCS and repeated every twelve months, as a minimum, for a period of two years. Ships may be directed not to discharge washwater from an EGCS in Bahraini waters if this data, or evidence that samples have been taken for analysis, cannot be provided to PMA.
4. PMA strongly encourages the vessel to use the close loop mode (no discharge over board) when it sails within Bahraini waters.
EGCS Washwater Residue:
1. Washwater residues generated by the EGC unit should be delivered ashore to adequate reception facilities. Such residues should not be discharged into the sea or incinerated onboard.
2. Each ship fitted with an EGC unit should record the storage and disposal of washwater residues in an EGC log, including the date, time and location of such storage and disposal.
For more information or information about operations in Bahrain, contact GAC Bahrain at bahrain@gac.com
Use of low Sulphur fuel oil & installation of scrubbers in Suez Canal
Tuesday, December 31, 2019, Suez Canal, Egypt
Regarding the use of fuel oil with low sulphur content in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI during transit in Suez Canal, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) puts no conditions or restrictions on fuel oil or open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems for vessels entering or transiting the Suez Canal, Egypt from 1 January 2020.
For vessels installed with scrubber, Suez Canal will add about 600 MT to the vessel’s SC NRT. In this regard, the SCA inspector will request the Master to sign a form to confirm the installation of the scrubber. The inspector may also request for the vessel’s plan for verification.
For information about operations in the Suez Canal, contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com
