The limit of the sulphur content of fuel oils in open sea areas will be tightened from 3.50% to 0.50% on 1 January 2020. In this context, a guidance which recommends for ships to develop a "Ship Implementation Plan" outlining how the ship may prepare in order to comply with the 0.50% sulphur limit has been issued as IMO Circular "MEPC.1/Circ.878". The circular recommends that risk assessment related to switching to 0.50% compliant fuel oil and a schedule for fuel oil system modification and tank cleaning conducted as necessary, and a procurement of compliant fuel oil and fuel oil changeover, etc. are included.

In order to help the ClassNK customers who develop the implementation plan, ClassNK has provided its sample where the description example is illustrated.
Also, ClassNK provides appraisal services for the implementation plan developed by the ship side. In this service, ClassNK confirms that indicative examples illustrated in MEPC.1/Circ.878 are included on a voluntary basis as requested.

For details of these services such as the application process etc., please refer to our "SOx・PM regulations" website which has been newly launched.
URL: http://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/activities/statutory/soxpm/index.html


For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Machinery Department, Administration Center Annex, Head Office
Address: 3-3 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2022 / 2023
Fax: +81-3-5226-2024
E-mail: mcd@classnk.or.jp

Attachment:
1. MEPC.1/Circ.878