The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced new safety rules to ensure the proper use of fuel oil on ships, reinforcing existing standards and updating fuel documentation and sampling procedures. These changes are part of ongoing efforts to prevent fires and protect maritime safety.
Flashpoint Requirements and SOLAS Update
The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention already mandates that fuel oil used on ships must have a minimum flashpoint of 60°C. However, in November 2022, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106) adopted amendments that focus on enforcing this rule more effectively. Under the new regulations, suppliers must provide a declaration before refueling, confirming that the flashpoint of the fuel batch complies with SOLAS requirements. This declaration can be included in the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI.
These SOLAS amendments will officially take effect on 1 January 2026.
Early Enforcement via MARPOL Annex VI
Although the SOLAS amendments are not yet in force, similar documentation requirements began on 1 May 2024 through an update to MARPOL Annex VI. According to the updated Appendix V, the BDN must now include either the exact flashpoint in degrees Celsius or a statement confirming it meets or exceeds 70°C.
Updated Sampling Guidelines
To support these regulatory changes and address cases where substandard fuel has been delivered, the IMO released updated fuel oil sampling guidelines under Circular MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.18. This circular replaces the previous MEPC Resolution 182(59) from 2009. The new guidelines expand the use of MARPOL samples to also verify flashpoint compliance under SOLAS.
While the core sampling practices—such as where and how samples are taken and stored—remain mostly the same, several important updates have been made:
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Sampling Methods: Personnel responsible for collecting and preparing samples must be trained in the proper procedures and equipment. Both the ship’s and supplier’s representatives must witness the sampling.
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Avoiding Contamination: The guidelines caution against cleaning sampling tools with low-flashpoint solvents, which can affect test results.
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Sample Volume: The required volume of retained samples has increased from 400ml to 600ml.
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Sample Storage Responsibility: Responsibility for tracking retained samples now shifts from the ship’s Master to the shipping company.
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Flashpoint Testing Procedures: A new section outlines the steps and documentation needed if flashpoint verification becomes necessary.
Clarification on Use of MARPOL Samples
The IMO also emphasized that the retained MARPOL fuel sample is to be used solely for verifying compliance with international regulations. It should not be used to settle commercial quality disputes between shipowners and fuel suppliers.
These new rules aim to improve transparency, reduce safety risks at sea, and promote consistent fuel quality across global shipping operations.
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