BIMCO has developed two 2020 bunker clauses that deal with general compliance and the transitional period for an early December release.
The Documentary Committee on 13 November approved the Global Marine Fuel Sulphur Clause for Time Charter Parties.
Peter Eckhardt, chairperson of the drafting committee, said it sets out the obligations and responsibilities of owners and charterers to comply with MARPOL Annex VI sulphur content requirements.
The clause states that charterers are obliged to provide fuel that complies with MARPOL requirements, grades and specifications set out in the charter party. It is a general compliance clause. Also, it states that charterers must use suppliers and bunker barge operators who comply with MARPOL. Moreover, shipowners will remain responsible for the fuel management.
The second clause deals with the transitional period from the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2020. BIMBO will publish the two clauses as one package.
The clause focuses on cooperation between owners and charterers. And it aims to minimise quantities of non-compliant fuel on board by 31 December 2019.
It states the relevant party has to remove any remaining non-compliant fuel on board after 1 January 2020. They must do so no later than re-delivery or 1 March 2020, whichever comes first. It also states charterers must bear the cost of removal of non-compliant fuel. In contrast, shipowners must bear tank cleaning cost.
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