**Executive Summary**
This document, MEPC.1/Circ.880 issued on November 9, 2018, relays the Marine Environment Protection Committee's (MEPC) urging of MARPOL Annex VI parties and member governments to report the availability of compliant fuel oils in their ports and terminals via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) MARPOL Annex VI module. This information is requested well in advance of the January 1, 2020 implementation date of the 0.50% m/m sulphur limit. The document also details specific information to be reported.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **0.50% Sulphur Limit Implementation:**
* The effective date of January 1, 2020, for the 0.50% m/m sulphur limit for fuel oil used on board ships operating outside emission control areas remains unchanged.
* MEPC.1/Circ.878 provides guidance on developing a ship implementation plan for the consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit.
* **Reporting Fuel Oil Availability:**
* Parties to MARPOL Annex VI should take all reasonable steps to promote the availability of compliant fuel oils.
* Parties must inform the IMO of the availability of compliant fuel oils in their ports and terminals.
* GISIS is considered an effective way for Contracting Governments or Parties to IMO instruments to fulfill their reporting obligations.
* Availability of fuels can be reported using the MARPOL Annex VI module on GISIS (https://gisis.imo.org).
* **GISIS Reporting Requirements (Regulation 18.1 of MARPOL Annex VI):**
* Party notifying the Organization (select from drop-down menu).
* Port/terminal where compliant fuel oil is available:
* Name of port (select from drop-down menu).
* Terminal name (if applicable).
* Type of compliant fuel oil available at the port/terminal identified above:
* Fuel type (tick boxes): HFO, MDO, MGO
* Sulphur content of compliant fuel oil available (tick boxes):
* not exceeding 4.50% m/m
* not exceeding 3.50% m/m (in effect 1 January 2012)
* not exceeding 1.00% m/m
* not exceeding 0.50% m/m (in effect 1 January 2020)
* not exceeding 0.10% m/m (in effect 1 January 2015)
* Additional information/references (attach file): File title/description
**Impact Analysis**
**Parties to MARPOL Annex VI and Member Governments**
* **Impact:** Required to report the availability of compliant fuel oils in ports and terminals.
* **Action Required:** Inform the Organization (IMO) via the GISIS MARPOL Annex VI module well in advance of January 1, 2020. Ensure compliant fuel oils are promoted within their jurisdictions.
**Ship Operators**
* **Impact:** Must procure and use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% m/m when operating outside emission control areas.
* **Action Required:** Develop and implement a ship implementation plan, as per MEPC.1/Circ.878, for the consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit.
Key Entities Referenced
MARPOL Annex VI: International convention addressing air pollution from ships, requiring availability of compliant fuel oils.
Regulation 18.1 of MARPOL Annex VI: Regulation within MARPOL Annex VI requiring Parties to promote availability of compliant fuel oils.
Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS): IMO system for reporting availability of compliant fuel oils, as per resolution A.1074(28).
Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC): IMO committee responsible for addressing marine pollution issues, including fuel oil compliance.
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4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210
MEPC.1/Circ.880
9 November 2018
REPORTING OF AVAILABILITY OF COMPLIANT FUEL OILS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH REGULATION 18.1 OF MARPOL ANNEX VI
1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its seventy-third session
(22 to 26 October 2018), urged Parties to MARPOL Annex VI and other Member Governments
to inform the Organization of the availability of compliant fuel oils in its ports and terminals via
the GISIS MARPOL Annex VI module well in advance of 1 January 2020.
2 MEPC 70 in October 2016 decided to retain 1 January 2020 as the effective date of
implementation for the 0.50% m/m sulphur limit for fuel oil used on board ships operating
outside emission control areas designated for the control of sulphur oxides.
3 MEPC 71 in July 2017, approved the new output on consistent implementation of
the 0.50% m/m sulphur limit, and also agreed to the holding of an intersessional meeting
dedicated to progressing this output.
4 MEPC 73 in October 2018, approved MEPC.1/Circ.878 Guidance on the development
of a ship implementation plan for the consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit
under MARPOL Annex VI includes guidance on the procurement of compliant fuel oil.
5 Pursuant to regulation 18.1 of MARPOL Annex VI, Parties to MARPOL Annex VI
should take all reasonable steps to promote the availability of fuel oils that comply with
MARPOL Annex VI and inform the Organization of the availability of compliant fuel oils in its
ports and terminals.
6 The twenty-eighth session of the IMO Assembly adopted resolution A.1074(28) on
Notification and circulation through the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).
Resolution A.1074(28) agreed that GISIS should be considered as an effective way for
Contracting Governments or Parties to IMO instruments to fulfil their reporting obligations
under the various mandatory IMO instruments.
7 Availability of fuels can be reported using the MARPOL Annex VI module on GISIS
(https://gisis.imo.org). For regulation 18.1 of MARPOL Annex VI, the information that can be
added is set out in the annex.
***
I:\CIRC\MEPC\01\MEPC.1-CIRC.880.docxMEPC.1/Circ.880
Annex, page 2
ANNEX
GISIS MODULE FOR REGULATION 18.1 OF MARPOL ANNEX VI
Fuel oil availability (regulation 18.1)
1 Party notifying the Organization (select from drop down menu)
2 Port/terminal where compliant fuel oil is available
.1 Name of port (select from drop down menu)
.2 Terminal name (if applicable)
3 Type of compliant fuel oil available at the port/terminal identified above
.1 Fuel type (tick boxes)
.1 HFO
.2 MDO
.3 MGO
.2 Sulphur content of compliant fuel oil available (tick boxes)
.1 not exceeding 4.50% m/m
.2 not exceeding 3.50% m/m (in effect 1 January 2012)
.3 not exceeding 1.00% m/m
.4 not exceeding 0.50% m/m (in effect 1 January 2020)
.5 not exceeding 0.10% m/m (in effect 1 January 2015)
4 Additional information/references (attach file)
.1 File title/description
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I:\CIRC\MEPC\01\MEPC.1-CIRC.880.docx