Whilst these Interim Guidelines (MEPC.1/Circ.917) are not mandatory, they will be considered by flag Administrations and their Recognized Organizations in the acceptance of carriage of biofuel blends.

The Interim Guidance states the maximum blend ratio (by volume) of biofuel and MARPOL Annex I cargoes (petroleum derived oils) permitted to be carried by a “bunker ship” has increased from 25% to 30% biofuels, provided that:

• The “bunker ship” is an oil tanker, as defined in Regulation 1.5 of MARPOL Annex I, that is certified under MARPOL Annex I to carry, transport and deliver fuel oil for use by ships.
• All residues or tank washings have been discharged ashore unless the oil discharge monitoring equipment is approved for the biofuel blend(s) being shipped.

If the above requirements are met, the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate does not need to be modified.

For bunker ships carrying more than 30% biofuels

The provisions of MARPOL Annex II (Regulations Controlling Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) and Chapter 17 of the International Code for Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) apply.

For biofuel-carrying ships other than bunker ships

25% or less
Biofuel blends and MARPOL Annex I cargoes with 25% (by volume) or less biofuel are to be considered a MARPOL Annex I cargo and are required to comply with MARPOL Annex I.

More than 25%
Biofuel blends and MARPOL Annex I cargoes with more than 25% (by volume) biofuel are to be regarded as MARPOL Annex II products and must comply with the requirements set out in Chapter 17 of the IBC Code.

Approved biofuels
The Interim Guidelines set out the approved biofuels in the context of MARPOL Annex II and are indicated in the MEPC.2/Circular, Annex 11 as:

• tert-Amyl ethyl ether
• Ethyl alcohol
• Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)
• Vegetable fatty acid distillates.

How Lloyd’s Register can help

Our Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) offers a range of services to ship operators for the safe adoption of drop-in biofuels and synthetic fuels through its comprehensive fuel quality assessment programme, support with the onboard fuel management, operational risk assessment and NOx emission measurement.