Review of existing references to and definitions of fuels in IMO conventions/instruments
1. References to low-flashpoint fuels in SOLAS 1974 and related codes
SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part A – General
Regulation II-1/2 Definitions
.29 Low-flashpoint fuel means gaseous or liquid fuel having a flashpoint lower than otherwise permitted under regulation II-2/4.2.1.1
SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part G – Ships using Low-Flashpoint Fuels
Regulation II-1/56 Application
Regulation II-1/ 57 Requirements for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels
SOLAS Chapter II-2 Part B – Prevention of Fire and Explosion
Regulation II-2/4 Probability of ignition
.2.1 Limitations in the use of oils as fuel:
The following limitations shall apply to the use of oil as fuel:
.1 except as otherwise permitted by this paragraph, no oil fuel with a flashpoint of less than 60°C shall be used; *
*Refer to Recommended procedures to prevent the illegal or accidental use of low flashpoint cargo oil as fuel (resolution A.565(14))
IGF Code Part A
2.2 Definitions
2.2.10Dual fuel engines means engines that employ fuel covered by this Code (with pilot fuel) and oil fuel. Oil fuels may include distillate and residual fuels.
2.2.28 Low-flashpoint fuel means gaseous or liquid fuel having a flashpoint lower than otherwise permitted under paragraph 2.1.1 of SOLAS regulation II-2/4.
2. References to fuel supply for machinery in SOLAS 1974 and related codes
Observation: SOLAS regulation II-1/26.3.4 refers to fuel oil supply systems for boilers or engines and MSC/Circ.851 contains guidelines on engine-room oil fuel systems. SOLAS regulation II-1/26.11 stipulates requirements for location and arrangement of vent pipes for fuel oil settling and service tanks and number and capacity of fuel oil service tanks.
In addition to the limitations in the use of oils as fuel with respect to flashpoint, SOLAS regulation II 2/4.2 lists regulations regarding the arrangements for oil fuel, lubricating oil and other flammable oils. SOLAS regulation II-2/4 also makes reference to MSC.1/Circ.1321 Guidelines for measures to prevent fires in engine-rooms and cargo pump-rooms which includes conventional oil fuels e.g. Heavy oil fuel, intermediate oil fuel (380 and 180) etc. under the definition of flammable oils.
Neither of the terms fuel oil or oil fuel are defined in SOLAS.
SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part C – Machinery Installations
Regulation II-1/26 General
.3 Means shall be provided whereby normal operation of propulsion machinery can be sustained or restored even though one of the essential auxiliaries becomes inoperative. Special consideration shall be given to the malfunctioning of
.4 the fuel oil supply systems for boilers or engines**
**Refer to Guidelines to minimize leakage from flammable liquid systems (MSC/Circ.647) and Guidelines on engine-room oil fuel systems (MSC/Circ.851).
.11 Location and arrangement of vent pipes for fuel oil service, settling and lubrication oil tanks shall be such that in the event of a broken vent pipe this shall not directly lead to the risk of ingress of seawater splashes or rainwater. Two fuel oil service tanks for each type of fuel used on board necessary for propulsion and vital systems or equivalent arrangements shall be provided on each new ship, with a capacity of at least 8 h at maximum continuous rating of the propulsion plant and normal operating load at sea of the generator plant. ***
*** Refer to regulation II-2/4.2, Arrangements for oil fuel, lubrication oil and other flammable oils.
SOLAS Chapter II-2 Part B – Prevention of Fire and Explosion*
Regulation II-2/4 Probability of ignition
*Refer to Guidelines for measures to prevent fires in engine-rooms and cargo pump-rooms (MSC.1/Circ.1321)
MSC.1/Circ.1321 Guidelines for measures to prevent fires in engine-rooms and cargo pump-rooms
Section 3 Definitions
3.7Flammable oils, for the purpose of these Guidelines, means oils used in machinery spaces as those listed in table 1.
3. Definitions of fuel in MARPOL Annex I – Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
MARPOL Annex I Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Regulation 1 Definitions
.1 Oil means petroleum in any form including crude oil, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and refined products (other than those petrochemicals which are subject to the provisions of Annex II of the present Convention) and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes the substances listed in appendix I to this Annex.
.4 Oil fuel means any oil used as fuel in connection with the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the ship in which such oil is carried.
MARPOL Annex I Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Regulation 12A Oil fuel tank protection
.3 For the purpose of this regulation, the following definitions shall apply:
.1 “Oil fuel” means any oil used as fuel oil in connection with the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the ship in which such oil is carried.
MARPOL Annex I Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Appendix 1 List of oils
Oils: Clarified, Crude oil, Mixtures containing crude oil, Diesel oil, Fuel oil no.4, Fuel oil no.5, Fuel oil no.6, Residual fuel oil, Road oil, Transformer oil, Aromatic oil (excluding vegetable oil), Lubricating oils and blending stocks, Mineral oil, Motor oil, Penetrating oil, Spindle oil, Turbine oil
MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.17 2019 Guidelines for the carriage of blends of MARPOL Annex I cargoes and biofuels
Section 3 Definitions
.1 Biofuels are ethyl alcohol, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and vegetable oils (triglycerides), as identified in chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code or the MEPC.2/Circular.
MEPC.1/Circ.879 Guidelines for the carriage of energy-rich fuels and their blends
Section 3 Definitions
.1 Energy-rich fuels are identified by the PPR Working Group on the Evaluation of Safety and Pollution Hazards of Chemicals (ESPH), based on an appropriate proposal, as products falling under the scope of these Guidelines. Energy-rich fuels will be recorded in annex 12 of the MEPC.2/Circular on Provisional categorization of liquid substances in accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code. Energy-rich fuels are wholly or partly derived from non-petroleum feedstock and they can be produced either without blending as such or by blending with petroleum products.
Section 4Description of energy-rich fuels
.1 An energy-rich fuel is obtained from biological origin or non-petroleum sources (e.g. algae, vegetable oils) or is a blend of petroleum-based fuel and a product obtained from biological origin or non-petroleum sources (e.g. algae, Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) process, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), co-processing).
4. Definitions of fuel in MARPOL Annex VI – Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
Observation: The term fuel oil is defined in Regulation 2.1.14 of MARPOL Annex VI. With regards to the definition of low-flashpoint fuel (Regulation 2.1.20), MARPOL Annex VI differs to the SOLAS definition in that the term fuel oil is used instead of fuel. The MARPOL Annex VI definition of fuel oil could be considered more representative as it refers to any fuel when compared to the much more restricted reference to oil used as fuel as defined in MARPOL Annex I.
Regulation 18.3 of MARPOL Annex VI stipulates the specific requirements applicable to fuel oil for combustion purposes delivered to and used on board ships.
MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
Regulation 2 Definitions
.1 For the purpose of this Annex:
.14 Fuel oil means any fuel delivered to and intended for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship, including gas, distillate and residual fuels.
.20 Low-flashpoint fuel means gaseous or liquid fuel oil having a flashpoint lower than otherwise permitted under paragraph 2.1.1 of regulation 4 of chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended.
.21 Marine diesel engine means any reciprocating internal combustion engine operating on liquid or dual fuel, to which regulation 13 of this Annex applies, including booster/compound systems if applied. In addition, a gas-fuelled engine installed on a ship constructed on or after 1 March 2016 or a gas-fuelled additional or non-identical replacement engine installed on or after that date is also considered as a marine diesel
Regulation 4 Equivalents
.1 The Administration of a Party may allow any fitting, material, appliance or apparatus to be fitted in a ship or other procedures, alternative fuel oils, or compliance methods used as an alternative to those required by this Annex if such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus or other procedures, alternative fuel oils, or compliance methods are at least as effective in terms of emissions reductions as those required by this Annex, including any of the standards set forth in regulations 13 and 14.
Regulation 18 Fuel oil availability and quality
.3 Fuel oil for combustion purposes delivered to and used on board ships to which this Annex applies shall meet the following requirements:
.1 except as provided in paragraph 3.2 of this regulation:
.1.1 the fuel oil shall be blends of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. This shall not preclude the incorporation of small amounts of additives intended to improve some aspects of performance;
.1.2 the fuel oil shall be free from inorganic acid; and
.1.3 the fuel oil shall not include any added substance or chemical waste that:
.1 the fuel oil shall not include any added substance or chemical waste that:
.2 is harmful to personnel, or
.3 contributes overall to additional air pollution.
.2 fuel oil for combustion purposes derived by methods other than petroleum refining shall not:
.2.1 exceed the applicable sulphur content set forth in regulation 14 of this Annex;
.2.2 cause an engine to exceed the applicable NOx emission limit set forth in paragraphs 3, 4, 5.1.1 and 7.4 of regulation 13;
.2.3 contain inorganic acid; or
.2.4.1 jeopardize the safety of ships or adversely affect the performance of the machinery, or
.2.4.2 be harmful to personnel, or
.2.4.3 contribute overall to additional air pollution