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The California Air Resources Board has issued an advisory to owners and operators regarding upcoming changes in vessel fuel sulphur requirements from August 1, 2012.

Please find the marine notice, entitled "Advisory to owners or operators of ocean-going vessels or ships visiting California ports", below.

Upcoming Requirements in the Regulation for Fuel Sulphur and Other Operational Requirements for Ocean-Going Vessels within California Waters and 24 Nautical Miles of the California Baseline (California OGV Fuel Regulation)

The California OGV Fuel Regulation, which has been enforced since July 2009, provides significant air quality benefits by requiring ships to use cleaner, low sulphur marine distillate fuel in ship main engines, auxiliary engines, and boilers. The purpose of this advisory is to notify owners and operators of upcoming changes in the fuel sulphur requirements beginning August 1, 2012 and to remind operators that they must comply with both the California OGV Fuel Regulation and the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements.

What are the upcoming changes in the maximum allowable fuel sulphur content requirements under the California OGV Fuel Regulation?

Beginning August 1, 2012 the maximum fuel sulphur limit for marine gas oil (DMA) will decrease from 1.5% to 1.0%. The maximum fuel sulphur limit for marine diesel oil (DMB) will continue to be 0.5%. These requirements are summarized below and are enforced within the California OGV regulatory zone, which is 24 nautical miles off the coast of California.

Fuel Requirement: Phase I
Effective Date: July 1, 2009
ARB’s California OGV Fuel Requirement Percent Sulphur Content Limit: Marine gas oil (DMA) at or below 1.5% sulphur; or Marine diesel oil (DMB) at or below 0.5% sulphur.

Fuel Requirement: Phase I
Effective Date: August 1, 2012
ARB’s California OGV Fuel Requirement Percent Sulphur Content Limit: Marine gas oil (DMA) at or below 1.0% sulphur; or Marine diesel oil (DMB) at or below 0.5% sulphur.

Fuel Requirement: Phase II
Effective Date: January 1, 2014
ARB’s California OGV Fuel Requirement Percent Sulphur Content Limit: Marine gas oil (DMA) at or below 0.1% sulphur; or marine diesel oil (DMB) at or below 0.1% sulphur.

Do ships visiting California ports have to comply with both the California OGV Fuel Regulation and the ECA?

Yes. ships must meet both the requirements of the California OGV Fuel Regulation and the ECA. Information on the ECA, which is scheduled to begin implementation on August 1, 2012, can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm#north-american

Information on the ECA boundary can be found at:
http://www.imo.org/Publications/Documents/Supplements%20and%20CDs/English/IA664E.pdf

Why does California continue to enforce the California OGV Fuel Regulation when the ECA is also being implemented?

It is important for the California OGV Fuel Regulation to continue to be enforced until ECA implementation provides equivalent emission reductions. This is not expected to occur until 2015 when the ECA fuel sulphur limit is 0.1% S. This is because the ECA does not require the use of marine distillate fuels. Significantly more emission reductions are realized when ships use marine distillate fuel as opposed to heavy fuel oil. Because of this and due to the immediate need to improve air quality and public health in California, the California OGV Fuel Regulation will continue to be enforced.

How can I get more information?

This advisory is only a summary of the requirements and does not contain all the information that may be needed to comply with the regulation. The regulation can be found at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2011/ogv11/ogv11.htm

Information on California’s OGV Fuel Regulation can be found at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/ports/marinevess/ogv.htm