IBIA supports for bunker supplier licensing and mass flow meters at MEPC79

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has submitted survey results to the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 79th session, which show industry backing for bunker supplier licensing and use of mass flow meters.

PHOTO: Bunkering of vessel in the Port of Antwerp. Port of Antwerp

The joint survey conducted by IBIA and BIMCO reveals industry support for bunker supplier licensing and use of MFMs to achieve transparency and compliance in bunker operations despite an underlying expectation of increased supply costs.

IBIA has urged MEPC member states to consider implementing a licensing scheme “to combat the high level of non-compliance in some poorer performing geographical regions.”

The industry body has backed up its argument with a separate document, which highlights differences in the sulphur compliance of VLSFO samples tested across various regions in 2020, when the IMO's 0.5% sulphur cap had just come into force.

The two documents are due to be discussed during the MEPC session this week and may then be referred to the Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency for consideration.

By Shilpa Sharma

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