fuel
Hong Kong Extends Port Facilities and Light Dues Incentive Scheme for Use of Clean Fuel
The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice, 91 of 2015, announcing that they have extended the Port Facilities and Light Dues Incentive Scheme 31 March 2018.
Registration of ocean going vessels (OGVs) under the current incentive scheme will expire on 25 September 2015. To continue enjoying the 50% reduction in port facilities and light dues up to 31 March 2018, OGVs (through their owners, charterers, managers or agents) are required to make a new one-off registration with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) under the Extended Incentive Scheme. OGVs not registered under the current incentive scheme can also make similar application to join the Extended Incentive Scheme.
The Environmental Protection Department will notify the applicant in writing the result of the application within 10 days after receiving the application and all the relevant documents. The names of successfully registered vessels will be put on the “List of Registered Vessels”. The List will be uploaded to the Environmental Protection Departments Website.
The incentive scheme was launched in year 2012 from 26th Sep 2012 and was notified to industry wide notice 132 of 2012.
To qualify for the incentive scheme, OGVs must while berthing in Hong Kong commit to taking measures to reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide (SOx) by such measures as utilizing marine fuel with sulphur content not more than 0.5%, utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG), or utilizing an onshore power supply.
To support my/our application for grant of a Concession under the Incentive Scheme, shipping agent / shipmaster will have to submit to the Director of Marine Department the following documents within 3 days after the Vessel leaving Hong Kong
waters:
(a) Completed Fuel Switching Declaration Form signed by the shipping agent and shipmaster, indicating the fuel switchover time upon arrival and departure from berth. The section of “Undertaking and Declaration by the shipmaster” must be signed under the witness of an onboard crew member;
(b) Certified true copy of Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) signed by the shipmaster under the witness of an onboard crew member showing the last delivery of fuel with sulphur content not more than 0.5%. The date of the BDN shall be within 6 months before the arrival at Hong Kong; and
(c) Certified true copy of Engine Room Log Book signed by the Chief Engineer and counter-signed by the shipmaster under the witness of an onboard crew member, which indicate that the Vessel has initiated the fuel switchover procedure upon arrival at berth and only fuel with sulphur content not more than 0.5% has been used after 1 hour from initiating fuel switch operation and throughout the remaining berthing period, until 1 hour before the departure of the Vessel
USCG Reminder and Ref to Industry Guidelines on Fuel Switch Over
USCG has added industry guidance in the safety alert (02/15) as a reminder to vessel owners and operators about the importance of establishing effective fuel oil changeover procedures to comply with MARPOL Annex VI emission regulations.
Recently, there have been several reported incidents involving substantial machinery space fuel leakages while vessels were switching fuel oil to ensure compliance. Although such leakages were contained, fuel releases of any kind may result in pollution, injury or death of personnel and shipboard engine room fires. Moreover, many losses of propulsion have occurred in different ports and have been associated with changeover processes and procedures.
On January 1, 2015, the new fuel oil sulfur limit authorized by MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14.3.4 came into effect, lowering fuel sulfur content from 1.0% to 0.10%. The 0.10% fuel sulfur content must be used the entire time the vessel is operating in the North American and U.S.
Caribbean Sea Emission Control Areas (ECA). As a result, vessels using higher sulfur content fuels must change to ultra low sulfur (ULS) fuel oil to comply. The vessels must use the ULS fuel oil on inbound and outbound transits, at the dock, and anytime within the ECA. Meeting this requirement requires planning and analysis before any changeover from higher sulfur content fuel oil to ECA compliant fuel oil and vice-versa. Each ship which uses higher sulfur content fuel oil is required to develop and implement changeover procedures for switching between residual and distillate fuels in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 14.6.
Source: USCG
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