Amendments to the onboard sampling points

21 October 2021 |  C21035

The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its 75th session, approved the amendments to the onboard sampling points, coming into force on April 01, 2022.

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators | Surveyors/Auditors

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), at its 75^th session, approved the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI related to fuel oil sampling and verification procedures for the sulphur content of fuel oil that have been adopted through IMO Resolution MEPC.324(75).

Application

• For ships the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 April 2022, sampling points need to be in place and designated on delivery; and
• For ships the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction before 1 April 2022 on the first IAPP renewal survey carried out on or after 1 April 2023, sampling points need to be designated.

The amendments include addition of new definitions, as listed below:

• MARPOL delivered sample, that means the sample of fuel oil delivered in accordance with regulation 18.8.1 of the Annex;
• In-use sample, that means a sample of fuel oil in use on a ship; and
• On board sample, that means a sample of fuel oil intended to be used or carried for use on board of that ship.

In-use and onboard fuel oil sampling and testing

If the competent authority of a Party requires the in-use or onboard sample to be analysed, it shall be done in accordance with the verification procedure set forth in appendix VI to the Annex to determine whether the fuel oil being used or carried for use on board meets the requirements in paragraph 1 or paragraph 4 of the regulation. The in-use sample shall be drawn taking into account the IMO MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1.

The onboard sample shall be drawn taking into account the IMO MEPC.1/Circ.889.

The sample shall be sealed by the representative of the competent authority with a unique means of identification installed in the presence of the ship’s representative. The ship shall be given the option of retaining a duplicate sample.

In-use fuel oil sampling point

For each ship subject to regulations 5 and 6 of the Annex, sampling point(s) shall be fitted or designated for the purpose of taking representative samples of the fuel oil being used on board the ship taking into account IMO Resolution MEPC.182(59).

The requirements are not applicable to a fuel oil service system for a low-flashpoint fuel for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board the ship.

The competent authority of a Party shall, as appropriate, utilize the sampling point(s) which is(are) fitted or designated for the purpose of taking representative sample(s) of the fuel oil being used on board in order to verify that the fuel oil complies with this regulation. Taking fuel oil samples by the competent authority of the Party shall be performed as expeditiously as possible without causing the ship to be unduly delayed.

Fuel oil availability and Quality mentions

If a Party requires the representative sample to be analysed, it shall be done in accordance with the verification procedure set forth in appendix VI to the Annex to determine whether the fuel oil meets the requirements of the Annex.

IAPP survey

The Supplement to the IAPP Certificate/Statement of Compliance will be replaced, and items related to the fitting or designating of the sampling points will be added. For new ships, the IAPP Certificate/Statement of Compliance will be replaced with the new form at the time of issuance or written onto the certificate on or after the effective date, i.e. April 2022.

For existing ships and after the completion of the IAPP survey, the checkbox in paragraph 2.3.4 of the new form of the Supplement to IAPP Certificate will be ticked off.

Act now

ShipOwners/ Managers/ Operators should take into consideration the above amendments for the on board sampling of fuel oil coming into force on 1^st April 2022.

Surveyors should verify compliance on the first IAPP renewal survey carried out on or after 1 April 2022 or 2023, as applicable.