NIMASA
NIMASA to
NIMASA
NIMASA to Enforce Sulphur Limit on Bunker Fuel-
Dakuku
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that the
Agency will enforce strict compliance to the International Maritime
Organisation regulation which puts a maximum of 0.5% sulphur cap on
all fuel used by vessels by the year 2020.
Dr. Dakuku who made this known during an interactive session
with journalists at the ongoing maritime week in Dubai said that
part of the requirements adopted at the 73rd meeting of the Marine
Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the United Nations
maritime organ was to reduce the sulphur content permitted in
Ships’ fuel oil globally to 0.5% with effect from 1st January
2020.
According to him “the 2020 fuel challenge is geared towards
energy efficiency, environmental pollution control, health as well
as core regulatory enforcement issues. As a maritime nation, we
cannot afford not to comply with the IMO standard which will also
do a lot in mitigating global warming and other related
environmental issues” Dr. Dakuku said.
Speaking further, the NIMASA DG said that the IMO ban which
relates to fuel intended for combustion, propulsion and operation
purposes on board ships will enter into force on March 1st 2020,
adding that all member states are expected to comply with the
stated standards by this date.
He said it was in the best interest of Africa to ensure
compliance considering the fact that majority of the countries on
the continent do not have the technology to mitigate harmful
effects of high sulphur fuel on the environment, ocean life and
human life .
The NIMASA boss enumerated some of the steps the agency plans to
take to manage the transition and ensure compliance. He noted that
NIMASA will embark on massive enlightenment, stakeholders’
engagement and liaison as well as collaboration with fuel refiners
and suppliers. He also said that the Agency would have a schedule
for Pre- enforcement information before the commencement of the
proper enforcement.
Commenting on the best way to enforce compliance, Dr Peterside
said that ship owners , classification societies, NGOs, fuel
storage facilities, and other stakeholders will all play a part in
determining modalities of ensuring compliance .
It is worthy of note that the IMO has been working to reduce
harmful effects of shipping on environment since 1960. The Annex VI
to the International Convention for the Prevention of pollution
from ships (MARPOL) was adopted in 1997 to address air pollution
from shipping.
The regulation 14.1.3 of Annex VI of the Convention seeks to
control airborne emissions of compounds such as sulphur oxides,
nitrogen oxides and other ozone depleting substances arising from
shipping activities in order to mitigate its effects on health and
the environment.
Isichei Osamgbi
Head, Corporate Communications
NIMASA