New cleaning rules to minimise sulphur output

AMSA HAS issued new rules for vessels using exhaust gas cleaning systems in Australian waters.

Marine notice 2025/04 supports compliance with a sulphur limit of 0.50 mass % concentration (m/m) in fuel oil.

The AMSA notice says the sulphur limit is required by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI and Australia’s domestic law.

Its guidance for vessel owners and operators said vessels may use an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) as an alternative way to comply with the low sulphur fuel requirements.

“In Australia, this is allowed under section 26FEGA of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983. To comply, your EGCS must currently be approved by the vessel’s flag State Administration, or a Recognised Organisation appointed by the flag State operated in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements, including the 2021 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems.

Discharge water standards for all EGCS types (open-loop, closed-loop, hybrid) operated in Australian waters are subject to the same discharge water standards.

“You may release discharge water from EGCS in Australian waters. All discharges must meet the discharge water quality criteria in the IMO Guidelines, and as amended from time to time.

“This includes discharges in waters within Australia’s Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) areas within the MARPOL ‘nearest land’ boundary, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

“Some port authorities may encourage vessels not to release discharge water within port limits. You should contact the specific port Authority prior to discharge.”

The notice said EGCS sludge and residues must be disposed of at port reception facilities. They must not be discharged at sea, and must not be incinerated onboard.

“When operating an EGCS, you must ensure: crew members are familiar with correct operation of EGCS;

the system is kept in good working order and maintenance is up to date; monitoring devices are fully functional; and records are available for inspection, including EGCS approval documents, and operational and maintenance records for the EGCS.

“Records must be kept onboard the vessel and provided on request of a Port State Control Officer (PSCO).

“If your EGCS malfunctions you must take immediate action and may need to report it.”

If the problem can be fixed within an hour there is no need to report it.

“If the EGCS malfunction lasts more than one hour or happens repeatedly, you must: change over to compliant fuel oil; report the malfunction to the vessel’s flag State Administration, or the Competent Authority of the port State of the vessel's destination.

“Your report should explain the steps you are taking to address the issue.

“If the vessel doesn’t have sufficient compliant fuel oil to reach the port of destination, you must include this in your report, outline the vessel's proposed course of action for agreement by the flag State Administration and Competent Authority for their agreement, which might include bunkering compliant fuel oil at the next port, or carrying out repairs. Where this occurs on an Australian vessel or a foreign vessel within Australian waters, you must email the report to reports@amsa.gov.au