New Regulations – Impact of Implementation of Sulphur 2020 Regulation on Seafarers

Abstract

International Maritime Organization (IMO), through regulation 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex VI, developed a standard with a cap of 0.5% m/m Sulphur content of fuel oil for use on board ships with an effective implementation date of 01 Jan 2020 to significantly strengthen the emission limit of Sulphur oxides. IMO developed guidelines for the consistent implementation to assist authorities, ship owners and operators. However, the actual implementation onboard ships would face multiple challenges due to additions of equipment, modifications to machinery, new procedures, and changes to existing practices. The study aimed to explore the nature of the problems foreseen by the seafarers prior to the implementation of the Sulphur 2020 regulation and to list out the problems that emerged post implementation. Detailed aspects of the regulation were discussed with industry experts. Seafarers were asked to rate the concerns due to foreseen problems prior implementation. Actual problems encountered post implementation were also listed and analyzed. It was found that Inspections, workload, paperwork, penalization, technical challenges like pipeline work, compatibility of fuel, fuel change over process and the necessary training were considered important concerns of the implementation.  Department and seniority did not significantly cause any difference in the moderate to high level of concerns that the seafarers faced. Suitable awareness and training strategies are suggested to handle the change and prepare seafarers to cope with the anxiety and stress due to new regulations.