As already advised in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0620 dated 3 February 2005, fuel oils used onboard ships are regulated by MARPOL 73/78 ANNEX VI as follows:

The sulphur content of any fuel oil used onboard ships shall not exceed 4.5% m/m.
The sulphur content of fuel oil used onboard ships in a SECA* (Sox Emission Contol Area) shall not exceed 1.5% m/m.
* The following sea areas are designated as SECA at the present.
A. The Baltic Sea Area (application started on 19 May 2006)
B. The North Sea Area (application starts on 22 November 2007)

Separately from the above mentioned IMO Regulations, fuel oils used onboard ships are regulated by the European Union (hereafter referred to as "EU") and by the State of California in the USA (hereafter referred to as "CA") around their territorial seas. This ClassNK Technical Information provides a summary of the fuel oil controls around the EU and CA.

1. Fuel Oil Controls by the EU
The following requirements are specified in Directive 2005/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (amending Directive 1999/32/EC).

(1) Fuel oils shall not be used in the areas of territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones of Member States of the EU falling within SECA designated by the IMO if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 1.5% m/m.
The application dates for the fuel oil controls mentioned in this (1) are as follows:
(i) The Baltic Sea Area: 11 August 2006
(ii) The North Sea Area: 11 August 2007
(iii) Any other Sea Area: 12 months after the date entry into force of the IMO designation
(2) Fuel oils shall not be used in the areas of territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones of Member States of the EU by passenger ships operating on regular services if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 1.5% m/m, from 11 August 2006.
(To be continued)