Following extensive efforts by International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) to highlight the issue of the carriage of greater than B25 biofuels by MARPOL Annex I certified bunker vessels, IMO issued circular MEPC.1/Circ.917 Interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships.
The guidance permits the transport of blends of not more than 30% by volume of biofuel, providing all residues or tank washings are discharged ashore unless the oil discharge monitoring equipment (ODME) is approved and/or certified for the biofuel blend(s) being shipped. The interim guidelines also confirm that an IOPP certificate showing “oil tanker” issued to a conventional bunker ship carrying blends between 25% and 30% biofuel or synthetic fuel does not need to be modified.
IMO’s interim guidance on the carriage of blends can be viewed here.