New Sulphur Cap Resolution On Marine Fuel Vessels
Sulphur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and non-metallic. Under normal conditions, sulphur atoms form cyclic octatonic molecules with a chemical formula S₈. Elemental sulphur is a bright yellow, crystalline solid at room temperature.
The Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) published last Thursday, 23, Resolution 789/2019, enforcing a new sulphur cap on marine fuel oil for vessels that do not have a system of exhaust gas cleaning.
The standard changes provisions of ANP Resolution No. 52/2010, which establishes the specifications of fuels intended for water use.
The ANP is the federal government agency linked to the Ministry of Mines and Energy responsible for the regulation of the oil sector.
Petrobrás has assured that it is able to produce bunker with low sulphur in sufficient volume to meet the demand of Brazil from January 2020, when an international law that limits the sulphur content of vessels by 0.5%, said the director of the ANP.
Known as “IMO 2020”, the rule limits the sulphur in the fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas to 0.50% m/m – a significant reduction from the previous limit of 3.5%. Within specific designated emission control areas the limits were already stricter.
The reduction of sulphur content in the bunker complies with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol), to which Brazil is signatory.
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world’s oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying goods or passengers, or in support of specialised missions, such as defence, research, and fishing.
Ships are generally distinguished from boats, based on size, shape, load capacity, and purpose.