IMO 2020: Consistent Implementation of MARPOL Annex VI (I666E) - 2019 Edition

This publication details the revision to MARPOL Annex VI, known as ‘IMO 2020’. The revised regulations include a requirement that the sulphur content of fuel oil used by ships operating outside designated emission control areas shall not exceed 0.50% by mass. This revision came into force on 1 January 2020 and will significantly benefit human health and the environment.

In October 2008, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO adopted revisions to the international regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships (MARPOL Annex VI). The revised regulations included a requirement that, from 1 January 2020, the sulphur content of fuel oil used by ships operating outside designated emission control areas shall not exceed the 0.50% by mass, known as ‘IMO 2020’. Reducing emissions of sulphur oxides will bring significant global benefits for human health and the environment.

A review provision was included in MARPOL Annex VI that required MEPC to assess the availability of compliant fuel oil to meet the 2020 requirement by 2018. In October 2016, following the review, MEPC 70 decided that from 1 January 2020, the sulphur content of fuel oil used by ships operating outside designated emission control areas shall not exceed 0.50% by mass. Since this decision, and having agreed a new output at MEPC 71 in July 2017 on consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit, the Organization has been working diligently and determinably to prepare the sector for this change.

This significant effort has led to relevant amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, including the ban on the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil that entered into force on 1 March 2020. Since IMO 2020 will have a major impact worldwide, the shipping industry, oil industry and the fuel oil suppliers have also been making their preparations.

Furthermore, comprehensive guidelines on consistent implementation and port State control of Chapter 3 of MARPOL Annex VI were adopted by MEPC 74 in May 2019. A package of guidance documents, including for ship implementation planning, provide important information to support the enforcement of this global rule by stakeholders across the sector.

This publication is part of the awareness raising action taken by the Organization and brings together all the instruments and guidance into one reference document. As such, it will help support the international shipping sector to successfully implement IMO 2020.

IMO resolutions

Resolution MEPC.305(73) Amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1997 to amend the International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto – Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI

Resolution MEPC.320(74) 2019 Guidelines for consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI

Resolution MEPC.321(74) 2019 Guidelines for port State control under MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 3 IMO circulars

MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1 2019 Guidelines for onboard sampling for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil used on board ships

MEPC.1/Circ.875 Guidance on best practice for fuel oil purchasers/users for assuring the quality of fuel oil used on board ships

MEPC.1/Circ.875/Add.1 Guidance on best practice for fuel oil suppliers for assuring the quality of fuel oil delivered to ships

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

MEPC.1/Circ.880 Reporting of availability of compliant fuel oils in accordance with regulation 18.1 of MARPOL Annex VI

MEPC.1/Circ.881 Guidance for port State control on contingency measures for addressing non-compliant fuel oil

MEPC.1/Circ.882 Early application of the verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample (regulation 18.8.2 or regulation 14.8)

MEPC.1/Circ.883 Guidance on indication of ongoing compliance in the case of the failure of a single monitoring instrument, and recommended actions to take if the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) fails to meet the provisions of the 2015 EGCS Guidelines (resolution MEPC.259(68))

MEPC.1/Circ.884 Guidance for best practice for Member State/coastal State

MEPC.1/Circ.887 Reporting of data related to fuel oil availability and quality in GISIS to promote greater understanding of the consistent implementation of the 0.50% m/m sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI

A??s a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. ?

In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.