Eng Cir 02 of 2019 Enclosure- msin1917anx-884

**Applicable to:** Indian seafarers, shipowners, and companies operating in India. **Effective Date:** 2019-08-27 **Superseded Circulars:** None mentioned. ---

Key Changes and Requirements

1. Guidance for Best Practice for Member State/Coastal State

The IMO has issued guidance to assist Member States in implementing and enforcing MARPOL Annex VI. This guidance is not intended to create new responsibilities but to help ensure effective implementation.

• Purpose: To assist Member States in carrying out their responsibilities under MARPOL Annex VI.
• Audience: Administrations, industry, relevant shipping and fuel industry organizations, shipping companies, and other stakeholders.

2. Best Practices for Member States/Coastal States

The guidance outlines best practices for Member States/Coastal States to ensure fuel oil used on board ships meets statutory requirements. These include:

• Promoting availability of compliant fuel oil - Member States should encourage suppliers to provide fuel oils that comply with MARPOL Annex VI.
• Handling notifications of non-availability of compliant fuel oil - Member States should follow the procedure for reporting compliant fuel oil non-availability and use the related standard format.
• Fuel oil quality - Member States should encourage suppliers to use detailed fuel specifications and guidance on assuring fuel oil quality.
• Inspection of bunker delivery notes - Member States should verify the availability and compliance of bunker delivery notes during port State control inspections.
• Analysis of MARPOL delivered sample - Member States may require analysis of the MARPOL delivered sample if there are indications of non-compliance.
• Maintaining a register of local suppliers of fuel oil - Member States should maintain a register of local suppliers containing specific information and ensure they provide a bunker delivery note and a MARPOL delivered sample.