The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), in coordination with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), developed the Energy Efficiency in Operations and New Fuels workshop, which addressed issues related to the implementation of Annex VI of the International Convention for prevent pollution by ships (Marpol); the agreement indicates that, as of January 1, 2020, the sulfur content in the fuel used on board ships must not exceed 0.5% m / m, which represents an 80% reduction of the current limit of 3.50%.
The Environmental Protection Specialist, from the Environment Division, Alexis Rodríguez and the person in charge of the South Harbor Operations Captaincy, John Sun, were the professionals designated by the ACP to teach the workshop and, on the part of the AMP, the Participation of the Deputy Director of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine (DGMM), Captain Demóstenes Sánchez, who issued his contributions on the different scrubber sulfur oxide (SOx) scrubber.
Captain Sánchez said: «The implementation of this maritime regulation is a matter of State and requires the commitment of all, for this reason, the AMP is joining forces with the ACP, the Maritime Chamber of Panama (CMP), shipping companies and others interested parties, in order to integrate ourselves as the same team, to ensure faithful compliance with these new sulfur limits, indicated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ».
Sulfur emission controls apply to combustion equipment and devices of all types of fuel oil, therefore, it includes both main and auxiliary engines, as well as boilers and inert gas generators; Vessels that do not have an exhaust gas cleaning system must take measures to ensure that the new limits are met.
“We will witness a great environmental advance with the implementation of this regulation that would reduce considerably the amount of sulfur oxide from ships, which will entail significant environmental benefits for the world, particularly for populations living near ports, ”captain Sánchez concluded.
It is important to highlight that this is the second workshop coordinated by the DGMM, since at the end of last month a workshop was held with the support of the Education Commission of the Maritime Chamber of Panama (CMP), on Annex VI / Marpol, as Preparatory State to ensure compliance with the new maximum sulfur limit on ships.
Source: Panama Maritime Authority
