**Executive Summary**
This document, MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1, dated 21 May 2019, provides the 2019 Guidelines for on board sampling for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil used on board ships. Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its seventy-fourth session (13-17 May 2019), these guidelines aim to establish an agreed method for sampling to enable the effective control and enforcement of liquid fuel oil use, as per MARPOL Annex VI. This circular revokes MEPC.1/Circ.864.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Objective**:
* Establish an agreed method for sampling to enable effective control and enforcement of liquid fuel oil use on board ships under MARPOL Annex VI.
* **Sampling Location**:
* In-use representative samples should be obtained from designated sampling points.
* Number and location of sampling points must be confirmed by the Administration.
* Sampling points must fulfill the following:
* Be easily and safely accessible.
* Account for different fuel oil grades.
* Be downstream of the in-use fuel oil service tank.
* Be as close to the fuel oil combustion machinery as safely feasible.
* Be clearly marked and described in piping diagrams or other relevant documents.
* Be shielded from heated surfaces or electrical equipment.
* Have suitable drainage to a drain tank or safe location.
* **Sample Handling**:
* Samples must be taken when there is a steady flow in the fuel oil circulating system.
* The sampling connection should be thoroughly flushed prior to sample drawing.
* Samples should be collected in a container and be representative of the fuel oil being used.
* Sample bottles must be sealed by the inspector with a unique means of identification in the presence of the ship's representative.
* The ship should be given the option of retaining a sample.
* The label should include:
* Sampling point location
* Date and port of sampling
* Name and IMO number of the ship
* Details of seal identification
* Signatures and names of the inspector and the ship's representative
**Impact Analysis**
**Member Governments**
* **Impact**: Need to bring the annexed guidelines to the attention of relevant parties within their jurisdiction.
* **Action Required**: Disseminate the 2019 Guidelines to Administrations, industry, relevant shipping organizations, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
**Administrations**
* **Impact**: Responsible for confirming the number and location of designated fuel oil sampling points.
* **Action Required**: Review and confirm designated fuel oil sampling points, considering fuel oil cross-contamination and service tank arrangements.
**Industry, Shipping Organizations, and Shipping Companies**
* **Impact**: Required to comply with the 2019 Guidelines for on board fuel oil sampling.
* **Action Required**: Establish designated fuel oil sampling points that meet the required conditions, implement the outlined sampling procedures, and ensure proper sample handling and labeling.
**Other Stakeholders**
* **Impact**: Affected by the proper enforcement of sulphur content regulations through standardized fuel oil sampling.
* **Action Required**: Be aware of these changes and ready to cooperate with authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
2019 Guidelines for On Board Sampling for the Verification of the Sulphur Content of the Fuel Oil Used on Board Ships: Set of guidelines approved for on board sampling for the verification of sulphur content in fuel oil used on ships.
Marine Environment Protection Committee: Committee that approved the 2019 guidelines.
MARPOL Annex VI: Refers to provisions under which effective control and enforcement of liquid fuel oil being used on board ships takes place.
International Maritime Organization: Issues the guidelines on behalf of the Marine Environment Protection Committee.
E
4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210
MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1
21 May 2019
2019 GUIDELINES FOR ON BOARD SAMPLING FOR THE VERIFICATION OF THE
SULPHUR CONTENT OF THE FUEL OIL USED ON BOARD SHIPS
1 The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its seventy-fourth session
(13 to 17 May 2019), approved the 2019 Guidelines for on board sampling for the verification
of the sulphur content of the fuel oil used on board ships.
2 Member Governments are invited to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of
Administrations, industry, relevant shipping organizations, shipping companies and other
stakeholders concerned.
3 This circular revokes MEPC.1/Circ.864.
***
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Annex, page 1
ANNEX
2019 GUIDELINES FOR ON BOARD SAMPLING FOR THE VERIFICATION OF THE
SULPHUR CONTENT OF THE FUEL OIL USED ON BOARD SHIPS
1 Preface
The objective of these Guidelines is to establish an agreed method for sampling to enable
effective control and enforcement of liquid fuel oil being used on board ships under the
provisions of MARPOL Annex VI.
2 Sampling location
The in-use1 representative sample or samples should be obtained from a designated sampling
point or points. The number and location of designated fuel oil sampling points should be
confirmed by the Administration following consideration of possible fuel oil cross-contamination
and service tank arrangements. Fuel oil sampling points to be used should fulfil all of the
following conditions:
.1 be easily and safely accessible;
.2 take into account different fuel oil grades being used for the fuel oil
combustion machinery item;
.3 be downstream of the in-use fuel oil service tank;
.4 be as close to the fuel oil combustion machinery as safely feasible taking into
account the type of fuel oil, flow-rate, temperature, and pressure behind the
selected sampling point;
.5 be clearly marked for easy identification and described in either the piping
diagram or other relevant documents;
.6 each sampling point should be located in a position shielded from any heated
surface or electrical equipment and the shielding device or construction
should be sturdy enough to endure leaks, splashes or spray under design
pressure of the fuel oil supply line so as to preclude impingement of fuel oil
onto such surface or equipment; and
.7 the sampling arrangement should be provided with suitable drainage to the
drain tank or other safe location.
1 In-use sample means the sample of fuel oil in use on a ship.
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3 Sample handling
The fuel oil sample should be taken when a steady flow is established in the fuel oil circulating
system. The sampling connection2 should be thoroughly flushed through with the fuel oil in use
prior to drawing the sample. The sample or samples should be collected in a sampling
container or containers and should be representative of the fuel oil being used. The sample
bottles should be sealed by the inspector with a unique means of identification installed in the
presence of the ship's representative. The ship should be given the option of retaining a
sample. The label should include the following information:
.1 sampling point location where the sample was drawn;
.2 date and port of sampling;
.3 name and IMO number of the ship;
.4 details of seal identification; and
.5 signatures and names of the inspector and the ship's representative.
___________
2 The sampling connection is the valve and associated pipework designated for sample collection which is
connected to the fuel oil service system.
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