Operation in SOX Emission Control Areas (SECAs) introduces new challenges to ship operators, both with respect to bunker management and voyage planning.
DNV can assist ship operators to comply with regulation 14 of Marpol Annex VI.
Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78 limits the sulphur content of marine fuel oil to 1.5% per mass and will apply in designated SECAs. The first SECA is the Baltic Sea which entered into force on 19 May 2006. The North Sea Area and the English Channel SECA will enter into force on 22 November 2007. The geographical boundaries for these two SECAs are defined in MARPOL 73/78. (Note that EU directive 2005/33/EC, requires ships to burn fuel oil with less than 1.5% sulphur in the North Sea SECA from 11 August 2007.) New SECAs are expected to be adopted in the future based on certain criteria and procedures for designation of SECAs as given in Appendix III to Annex VI.
For more information contact:
DNVPS.OSLO@dnvps.com or
MTPNO880@dnv.com
Date: 2006-06-08