In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today the Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya informed that the Government has taken many steps to clear the uncertainty of the Shipping industry arising out of impending IMO regulations to reduce the level of sulphur oxide emissions from ship's exhaust from January, 2020.

 

The Details of the steps taken are as follows:-

 

• The Directorate General of Shipping issued Engineering Circular 02 of 2019 {Compliance with the provisions of MARPOL Annex VI. Regulation 14} on 29^th August 2019, which provides guidance to stakeholders on the following aspects, for a consistent and smooth implementation towards compliance with the Global Sulphur Cap {0.5% mass/mass max.} effective from 1^st January 2020:-

• Preparation of a ship implementation plan, to mitigate risk which may arise due to quality of fuel oil supplied at various parts of the world.
• Procedure for issuance of International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) certificate by Recognized Organizations.
• Procedure for acceptance of alternative arrangement such as fitment of Scrubbers to meet the regulatory requirements.
• Inspection methodology to be followed by the Indian Port State Control Officers.
• Guidance to approved Bunker suppliers regarding regulatory changes in Bunker receipts and maintenance of quality of supply chain.
• Web-link for assessing list of approved Bunker suppliers.
• A centralized help desk at the Directorate General of shipping to help Owners/Managers facing issues related to non-availability of compliant fuel at foreign ports or breakdown of alternative means of compliance {Scrubbers}.

The minister also informed that Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has already started supplying Global Sulphur cap compliant fuel oil and is at present available on west coast of India. Complete supply by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) & IOCL is expected with effect from December, 2019.

*****

NB/MS

(Release ID: 1594060) Visitor Counter : 668