Australia

/in Oceania/by

Australian ports and waters are outside of IMO MARPOL Annex VI Emission Control Areas. Under Annex VI regulation 14 the maximum fuel sulphur limit of 0.50% applies from 1 January 2020 (although it should be noted that under local regulation 0.10% applies to cruise ships in Sydney harbour – see below). Regulation 4 also applies and EGCS can be used as an alternative means of compliance if at least as effective in terms of SOx emissions reduction as the fuel sulphur limit.

Marine Notice 02/21 (supercedes Marine Notice 05/19) sets out the requirements for the use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems in Australian Waters and reporting to AMSA.

Key points of the Notice, which can be downloaded here from the AMSA website, are as follows:

  • The EGCS must be approved and operated in line with IMO requirements and the 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.259(68)
  • Crew members must be properly trained in the use of the EGCS
  • Any EGCS malfunction must be remedied soonest. A malfunction that lasts more than one hour, or repetitive malfunctions, should be reported to the vessel’s flag State Administration and the relevant port State authorities, with an explanation of the remedial actions that are being taken
  • Any EGCS found to be not in compliance with IMO guidelines in any respect (including but not limited to the wash water discharge criteria) may be prohibited from use in Australian waters.

If a vessel is to use exhaust gas cleaning as a method of compliance AMSA requests to be notified before first arrival at an Australian port after 1 January 2020. Information to be provided includes results of washwater testing undertaken during commissioning of the EGCS and repeated every twelve months, as a minimum, for a period of two years. Ships may not be allowed to discharge washwater from an EGCS in Australian waters if this data, or evidence that samples have been taken for analysis, cannot be provided before arrival.

AMSA is currently investigating the potential impacts of EGCS wash water discharges on Australian port environments and has commissioned a study to assess the potential cumulative impacts of wash water discharges from open-loop EGCS over time. This investigation will inform whether any future restrictions on the use of EGCS in Australian waters are needed.

While the discharge of wash water from EGCS is currently permitted in Australian waters, vessel owners, operators and Masters are encouraged to avoid discharging wash water within Australian port limits.

Other Marine Notices can be found at: https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/regulations-and-standards/marine-notices

Sydney

Cruise ships capable of accommodating more than 100 passengers in Sydney Harbour are required to use either low sulphur (maximum 0.10% m/m) fuel or an alternative measure that achieves an equivalent outcome i.e. EGCS.

See:  https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/air-pollution/sydney-harbour-cruise-ship-emissions