Rules for operating agreements between Brazil...
read more
Supply of compliant bunkers in national ports
Even before the 2020 sulphur cap came to be, Brazilian oil giant Petrobras had already started refining bunker fuels with low sulphur levels. In October 2019, it completed the transition by further lowering the level of sulphur to meet the new international standard for low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) stopped refining fuel oils with higher sulphur content.
Petrobras affirmed that its production capacity and logistics are more than enough to supply the domestic market and significantly increase its market share in the global bunkers market. Indeed, in February 2020, the state-owned company set a record for bunker fuel and fuel oil exports, shipping some 238,000 barrels daily, comprising over 1 million metric tons in just a month. Oil exports also remain on the high side, with over 690,000 b/d exported last month amid international trade challenges such as the coronavirus outbreak in Asia, Brazil’s leading buying marketplace for oil and oil products and a key hub for global shippers and sea carriers.
Brazilian ports where bunker fuels are regularly supplied include Rio Grande*, Paranaguá*, Santos*, São Sebastião, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro*, Vitória*, Salvador*, Fortaleza, São Luís (Itaqui), Belém* and Manaus. (* by barge).
Discharge of wash water
IMO 2020 global sulphur cap is enforced through the Directorate of Ports and Coasts (DPC) Circular 7/2019. It provides that bunkers supplied to vessels in Brazil must be within the 0.5% sulphur limit, and inbound ships must only burn LSFO if not fitted with an approved exhaust gas cleaning system EGCS (scrubber), as regulated by IMO Resolution MEPC.259(68).
In the case of a vessel using non-compliant fuel oil or with a defective scrubbing system, the Port State Control will investigate the matter and may report the deficiency to the Flag State. PSC will set a term for the resolution of the problem and may detain the vessel and impose a fine without prejudice to legal liabilities for eventual environmental damage.
While the maritime authority regulation accepts the use of EGCS as an alternative way of complying with the new regulation, it is silent on whether there is any restriction or prohibition to discharge wash water from open-loop scrubbers within Brazilian waters and, if so, what is the distance from the nearest land point where discharge is allowed.
A large bulk exporter and port operator in Brazil recommends that vessels entering the Brazilian contiguous zone (24 nautical miles from the coastline) use only compliant fuel (LSFO) and not discharge wash waters within this range from the shore.
Until the relevant authority clarifies this issue, vessels calling at Brazilian ports are advised to switch to a closed-loop if equipped with a hybrid scrubber or use IMO 2020-compliant fuel while entering national waters.
Next week, DPC will host an advisory forum to discuss ballast water management systems, LSFOs, scrubber’s wash waters, greenhouse gases, ship’s energy efficiency, and marine garbage. While it is not expected that the uncertainties surrounding the new regulation will be resolved in this event, it will certainly throw some light on the matter.
Please read our disclaimer.
Related topics:
Rua Barão de Cotegipe, 443 - Sala 610 - 96200-290 - Rio Grande/RS - Brazil
Telephone +55 53 3233 1500
proinde.riogrande@proinde.com.br
Rua Itororó, 3 - 3rd floor
11010-071 - Santos, SP - Brazil
Telephone +55 13 4009 9550
proinde@proinde.com.br
Av. Rio Branco, 45 - sala 2402
20090-003 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
Telephone +55 21 2253 6145
proinde.rio@proinde.com.br
Rua Professor Elpidio Pimentel, 320 sala 401 - 29065-060 – Vitoria, ES – Brazil
Telephone: +55 27 3337 1178
proinde.vitoria@proinde.com.br
Rua Miguel Calmon, 19 - sala 702 - 40015-010 – Salvador, BA – Brazil
Telephone: +55 71 3242 3384
proinde.salvador@proinde.com.br
Av. Visconde de Jequitinhonha, 209 - sala 402 - 51021-190 - Recife, PE - Brazil
Telephone +55 81 3328 6414
proinde.recife@proinde.com.br
Rua Osvaldo Cruz, 01, Sala 1408
60125-150 – Fortaleza-CE – Brazil
Telephone +55 85 3099 4068
proinde.fortaleza@proinde.com.br
Tv. Joaquim Furtado, Quadra 314, Lote 01, Sala 206 - 68447-000 – Barcarena, PA – Brazil
Telephone +55 91 99393 4252
proinde.belem@proinde.com.br
Av. Dr. Theomario Pinto da Costa, 811 - sala 204 - 69050-055 - Manaus, AM - Brazil
Telephone +55 92 3307-0653
proinde.manaus@proinde.com.br
Rua dos Azulões, Sala 111 - Edifício Office Tower - 65075-060 - São Luis, MA - Brazil
Telephone +55 98 99101-2939
proinde.belem@proinde.com.br