TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY NEWS No.

07/2019 – Technical

PREPARE FOR THE GLOBAL SULPHUR

CAP 2020 WITH THE IMO SHIP
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Relevant for ship owners/managers, charterers and flag states.

April 2019

The IMO has agreed on 1 January 2020 as the date for switching to 0.50% sulphur fuel globally.
Now, as ship owners face the daunting task of preparing for the fuel oil switch, proper planning is
essential. The IMO Guidance for developing a Ship Implementation Plan (SIP) is a useful tool, and
described further in this technical news.

DNV GL has prepared a Web-based application of the SIP: a

user-friendly, step-by-step tool for ship owners and managers
to prepare their their ship-specific implementation plans and
maintaining an overview of their fleet. The SIP application is
free of charge and available in My Services on the Veracity data
platform.

DNV GL can also support shipping companies in the develop-

ment of SIPs by offering risk assessment workshops and by
also reviewing SIP plans. A tank cleaning remote verification
and witnessing of low-sulphur fuel operation are also available
services to support preparation for compliance.
The Ship Implementation Plan (SIP) is an IMO Guidance which
all ships are encouraged to prepare and implement to be ready
Recommendations
for 1 January 2020. The plan is not mandatory and is not subject
To facilitate a smooth transition to the 0.50% sulphur cap,
to endorsement by the flag state or a recognized organization
proper planning is necessary, and with 2020 approaching, time
(RO). However, port state control (PSC) may consider the prepar-
is limited. Preparing a good implementation plan will ensure
atory actions described in the SIP when verifying compliance.
compliance and serve as documentation towards charterers
and authorities. Even though the SIP is not mandatory, it is
The SIP addresses issues related to the use of compliant fuel oil
recommended and indeed a useful tool.
and how to identify any safety risks associated with such fuels.
Items covered by the plan include, as relevant:
References
Global Sulphur Cap 2020 web page
ƒƒ Risk assessment and mitigation plan (impact of new fuels)
Ship Implementation Plan application on Veracity marketplace
ƒƒ Fuel oil system modifications and tank cleaning (if needed)
ƒƒ Fuel oil capacity and segregation capability
ƒƒ Procurement of compliant fuel
ƒƒ Fuel oil changeover plan (conventional residual fuel oils to
0.50% sulphur compliant fuel oil)
ƒƒ Documentation and reporting
CONTACT
Email us at ShipImplPlan@dnvgl.com
It is also recommended that the plan is supplemented with
a record of actions taken by the ship owner to be compliant Otherwise:
Use our office locator to find the nearest DNV GL office.
by the applicable date. This will help monitor progress in the
preparation period and can be used to prove that necessary
actions have been taken, in case of PSC inspection.

DNV GL – Maritime, Brooktorkai 18, 20457 Hamburg, Germany, Tel: +49 40 36149 0, www.dnvgl.com/maritime DNV GL Disclaimer of Liability