IMO Fuel Oil Sampling Guide

C24054 | 30 October 2024

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors

This Circular is issued to advise that on the 11th July 2024 IMO published MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.18 – Guidelines for the sampling of Fuel Oil for determination of compliance with MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS Chapter II-2, which extends the use of the MARPOL delivered sample to also be available for checking the flashpoint requirement under SOLAS Regulation II-2/4.2.1.

The 2009 Guidelines, MEPC Resolution 182(59), are revoked.

Points to note:

Minimum sample size:
The minimum sample size is increased from 400ml to 600ml.

Fuel oil definition:
The definition of oil fuel defined in Regulation 2.1.14 of MARPOL Annex VI, and Regulation 1 of MARPOL Annex I is accepted for these Guidelines, and the application of SOLAS Regulation II-2/4.2.

Sampling and preparation:
The guidelines require that personnel who undertake sampling and preparing the delivered sample are familiar with the use of the equipment and the Guidelines. The sampling operation is to be witnessed by representatives of both the ship and the supplier.

Tracking of Delivered Samples:
Keeping track of delivered samples is now the company’s responsibility rather than the responsibility of the Ship’s Master.

New Section 10:
A new Section 10 covers the procedures and documentation requirements where the fuel oil’s flashpoint is to be checked, including sub-sampling from the main sample and re-sealing by the laboratory. This does not impact the MARPOL Annex VI Appendix VI requirements concerning the sulphur verification procedures.

Act now

Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors should note the changes to these Guidelines and be guided accordingly.