IMO 2020 rule: Ja’s key challenges and opportunities to supply marine fuel

The honourable Robert Montague, minister of transport and mining, will deliver the keynote address at the official opening of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Caribbean Bunker Conference, themed ‘The Caribbean Journey to 2020 Compliance’, and scheduled to take place this week, September 10 to 12, 2019, in Montego Bay.

In highlighting Jamaica’s opportunities to supply marine fuel, as the bunker and shipping industries consider regulatory changes brought on by International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020, Minister Montague stated, “The Government, through the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), has not hesitated to ensure that the implementation of the necessary instruments promulgated by the IMO and the consequential enshrinement of those conventions into domestic law, predominately via the Shipping Act, receive priority.”

The minister pointed out that Jamaica, as with many other states within the wider Caribbean region, is a signatory to the MARPOL Convention and has also acceded to the Annex VI, which addresses the regulation of air emissions from ships.

He said, “The regulations that govern fuel cap to 0.5 per cent sulphur will be observed by Jamaica and that is a commitment from the Government exercised by our maritime agency, the MAJ. So, through their offices and duly recognised organisations, the sulphur cap will be enforced on our flagged ships on the one hand and, on the other, foreign-flagged ships calling at our ports in Jamaica will be monitored by MAJ port state control officers in Jamaica.”

When asked about possible challenges this new IMO 2020 rule will pose, the minister said, “Of course, a major challenge for the bunkering industry in Jamaica will be the provision of compliant fuel to meet the demands of the ships that operate locally and those that either trade at our ports, or will proceed to the bunkering stations in the country through simple, short diversions from their transits proximate to Jamaica.

“I am confident, however, that this upcoming conference is set to address compliance solutions as Jamaica advances its capabilities as a bunkering nation. At the same time, I have been advised by our local refinery that compliant fuel will be available in Jamaica,” Minister Montague said.

The MAJ is very pleased to be hosting this second IBIA Caribbean Bunker Conference in partnership with Ship and Bunker. This week’s conference follows on the success of the inaugural conference in 2018.

The conference will boast capacity-building components and networking opportunities, as it brings together bunker buyers, suppliers and operators to consider the impact of the new IMO sulphur rule. Discussions will cover compliance solutions, enforcement, and the availability of new fuels.

Williams to discuss Petrojam’s readiness for IMO 2020

Fayval Williams, Jamaica’s minister of science, energy and technology, is set to discuss Petrojam’s readiness for IMO 2020 as a bunker supplier.

The minister will be addressing delegates this week at the IBIA Caribbean Bunker Conference, ‘The Caribbean Journey to 2020 Compliance’.

Petrojam, Jamaica’s only petroleum refinery, is wholly owned by the Government of Jamaica.

Williams is one of two high-profile ministers who will be speaking at the event, with Robert Montague, minister of transport, set to be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony.

The IBIA Caribbean Bunker Conference takes place this week, September 10 to 12, 2019, at the Iberostar Suites Hotel, Montego Bay, Jamaica. The event is hosted by MAJ and presented in partnership with Ship and Bunker.