ANNEX VI of the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL73/78) came into force on May 19, 2005. The Annex regulates the prevention of air pollution and will have implications for the Jamaican shipping community.
Jamaica has already ratified the five other annexes to MARPOL 73/78 and is now taking steps to accede to Annex VI, which has as its chief aim the reduction of harmful emission from ships and the prohibition of the deliberate emission of ozone-depleting substances. In this regard, Annex VI requires that fuel used by ships have a 4.5 per cent cap on its sulphur content.
Under Annex VI, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica will be required to ensure that ships flying the Jamaican flag which are 400gt (400 gross tons) and above, have the required air pollution certificate which is prima facie evidence that convention standards have been met for the diesel engines, incinerators and bunker fuel on board. Ship agents will therefore be required to ensure that vessels, which are governed by Annex VI, have the relevant documents on board prior to visiting Jamaican ports.
Inspectors from the Maritime Authority will be required to ensure that ships have on board the relevant certificate; however, the jury is out on whether the absence of a bunker delivery note will be a detainable deficiency. This and other matters are being considered by the Maritime Authority and is likely to be discussed with the International Maritime Organisation.
The bunker supply market in Jamaica has been growing appreciably since its formal commencement this year. This service includes offshore bunkering to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and other vessels transiting Jamaicaís territorial waters. The Annex requires Jamaican bunker suppliers to be registered by the Maritime Authority and special delivery notes issued by the approved supplier to the ships taking delivery of the fuel.
