Naval Architects - Marine Engineers
ANCO Maritime Activities LtdFocused inspections by Transport Canada officers, regarding North America ECA requirements
04/05/12 Filed in: Marpol | Port State Control
As from 1st August 2012 transport Canada Port State Control Officers will check compliance with North America Emission Control Area (ECA). Read More...
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Pilot Transfer Arrangements
11/04/12 Filed in: SOLAS
According with MSC308(88) amendments to SOLAS V/23, relating to pilot ladder arrangements, effective as from first safety equipment survey after 1st July 2012. Pilot ladders: Read More...
Update on Chinas SPRO
24/03/12 Filed in: Port State Control
This post is an update to Chinas MSA list of SPROS.
As discussed in our previous port this regulations require owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 GT to enter into a pollution clean-up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved Ship Pollution Response Organization before the vessel enters a PRC port. Read More...
As discussed in our previous port this regulations require owners/operators of (a) any ship carrying polluting and hazardous cargoes in bulk or (b) any other vessel above 10,000 GT to enter into a pollution clean-up contract with a Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) approved Ship Pollution Response Organization before the vessel enters a PRC port. Read More...
Non Discharge Zone (NDZ) in California marine waters
06/03/12 Filed in: Port State Control
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a Non Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the California marine waters as from 28 March 2012.California marine waters extend 3 nautical miles from the base line. In this post you can download NDZ map. Read More...
Statistical Data for Tokyo MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign
29/02/12 Filed in: Port State Control
Tokyo MOU has published deficiency analysis for the CIC performed on Structural Safety and the International convention of Load Lines between 1st September 2011 and 30 November 2011. Read More...
Australian PSC inspectors increased focus on ECDIS compliance with SOLAS requirements
08/02/12 Filed in: Port State Control
According with AMSA marine notice 7/2012, guidance for the compliance of ECDIS according SOLAS was published. Also a flow chart is available to help ship managers to perform self evaluation. Finally as ECDIS requirements will come in to force 1st July 2012, for some types of vessels, PSC inspectors will focus on their SOLAS compliance. We recommend to use this guidance as compliance check not only for Australian ports. Read More...
Updated info & FAQ for Approved Chinese SPROs
29/12/11 Filed in: Port State Control
In continuation to our previous post Chinese MSA has issued a notice on 22 December requiring any Ship carrying polluting or hazardous cargo or any other vessel above 10'000 GT should have a signed pollution clean up contract with an MSA approved SPROs before entering Chinese Ports.
Below you can find most common and useful FAQ produced by International Group. Read More...
Below you can find most common and useful FAQ produced by International Group. Read More...
Chinese MSA list of approved OSRO or SPROs contractors
22/12/11 Filed in: Port State Control
Chinese MSA finally released list of approved OSRO for class I and class II. These two classes cover almost all tankers and dry cargo vessels larger than 30000GT. Vessels calling Chinese ports after 1st of January 2012 should have a signed contract with one of the approved SPORs. Read More...
The Manila Amendments
The Manila amendments of the STCW convention will come in force on 1st January 2012. In this post you will find the major amendments and application time table. Read More...
Fuel Oil Sulfur limit reminder as from 1st January 2012
According with current Marpol Annex VI Sulfur limit as from 1st January 2012 is set to be 3.5% from currently 4.5%.
Read More...
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Update to USCG requirements
04/11/11 Filed in: Port State Control
The purpose of these post is to give you a collective list of main US Coast Guard regulations that vessels need to comply before or during in US territorial waters. Read More...
Voluntary application of Ballast Water Management in Mediterranean region as from 1st January 2012
29/10/11 Filed in: Port State Control | Statutory
According with BMW.2/Circ.35 vessels before entering Mediterranean region or engaged in traffic between MED&Black Sea ports should voluntarily exchange ballast according with D-1 requirement of the ballast water management convention as from 1st January 2012. Read More...
Revision of the Guidance for the Recording of Operations in the Oil Record Book according with MEPC.1/Circ.736/Rev.1
According revised MEPC.1/Circ.736/Rev.1 issued 24 August 2011 some changes in the recording of operations in the Oil Record Book Part I - Machinery Space Operations. This is an amendment to the MEPC.1/Circ.736 issued 8 November 2010 which is revoked. In this post you will find all changes and a marked said circular. Read More...
Malta's earlier adoption of Fall Prevention Devices (FPDs)
Malta administration announced an earlier implementation of Fall Prevention Devices FPD onboard existing Maltese register ships not later than 1 January 2013. Read More...
Chinese MSA list of approved contractors for the Control of Marine Pollution from Ships further postponed
16/08/11 Filed in: Port State Control
Reference to our previous posts dated 28/2/2010 and 30/4/2010 regarding appointment of approved Oil Spill Response Organizations (OSRO) by Chinese MSA, we have been informed that the already delayed list, planed to be published within August, is now further delayed and is going to be released in October 2011.
It is advisable that operators do not enter any contractual agreements with any OSROs until the approved list is released by Chinese MSA.
It is advisable that operators do not enter any contractual agreements with any OSROs until the approved list is released by Chinese MSA.
Paris & Tokyo MOU joint CIC for structural safety & load lines items from 1 September to November 2011
20/06/11 Filed in: Port State Control
It has been decided in the 21st PSC meeting in Tokyo, for a joint Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) regarding Structural Safety & load line Systems. The CIC will be carried out from 1st September to 30 November 2011. Read More...
IAMSAR Update
As from 1 June 2011 according with MSC.1/Circ.1367 vessels must have onboard the updated International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) manual.
We suggest to print the IAMSAR Update, file them in the vessels IAMSAR folder and present them upon request to avoid any remarks. IMO Note
We suggest to print the IAMSAR Update, file them in the vessels IAMSAR folder and present them upon request to avoid any remarks. IMO Note
Restrictions in Wider Caribbean Region
In this post you can find a map of wider caribbean area, description of the requirements and list of marine pollutants according with IMDG Code that ship operators must handle accordingly in said area. Read More...
Emergency Towing Procedures
According with MSC256(84) all cargo vessels constructed before 1st January 2010 should have a ship specific emergency towing procedure manual not later than 1 January 2012. Read More...
10 Days Deadline for UTM reports according with LR
22/02/11 Filed in: Class
LR has informed UTM companies that UTM reports of ESP vessels to be submitted within 10 working days of last visit on board. If this requirement will not be fulfilled then LR will not credit survey as complete until report has been received. Read More...
ISM RISK Assessment knowledge sharing
22/02/11 Filed in: ISM
In this post we would like to share our experience regarding risk assessment gained from audits. Read More...
USCG issued warning for quick closing valves maintenance and operational procedures
22/02/11 Filed in: Port State Control
USCG has issued a warning regarding the operating failure of quick closing valves. Ch. Engineers will have to present not only the satisfactory operating of quick closing valves but also maintenance records and operating instructions. Read More...
Reminder of Ship-Helicopter operation manual/procedures for vessels within Australian territorial water
16/01/11 Filed in: Port State Control | Other
As from 1st August 2010 vessels within Australian waters intending to perform Ship-Helicopter operations must comply with ICS Guide as far as practical. You might not intent to perform such operations, but according with “5.5 Medical or other emergencies” you might have to, so it is recommended to place such procedures on board to avoid problems with AMSA. Also in case of pilot boarding with helicopter then vessel must comply with above requirement. Read More...
Paris MOU NIR Reporting Requirements
16/12/10 Filed in: Port State Control
In addition to our previous post regarding Paris MOU NIR effective from 1 January 2011, vessels need to transmit the following info to the port authorities prior arrival. Failure to do so will result to targeted inspection by the Paris MOU PSC.
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IMDG Code amendments affecting carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form.
Changes in SOLAS Chapter II-2, regulation 19 have been implemented in order to reconcile deferences between SOLAS and IMDG Code. These changes are effective as from 1 January 2011. Said changes have no effect to vessels carrying only solid dangerous goods in bulk form. As you can see from the attached pages amendments are affecting goods carried in packaged from. Read More...
Ship To Ship oil transfer (STS) operation plans for oil tankers.
Oil Tankers of 150 GT and above engaged in transferring oil CARGO between vessels must have a STS operational manual onboard not later than the first annual, intermediate or renewal survey after 1 January 2011. Read More...
New definition of "Sludge Tank" and amended Oil Record Book Codes according with Marpol Annex I as from 1 January 2011.
As from 1 January 2011 a new definition of "Sludge Tank" is applicable to vessels with Marpol Annex I (IOPP) certificate. Also the codes for Oil Record Book has been amended. Ch. Engineers should use new codes in their ORB entries in order to avoid problems with PSC. In this post we have prepared a comparison between old and new Oil Record Book codes for your easy reference, describing the requirements. You can download highlighted MEPC187(59). Read More...
Denial of entry by USCG for vessels with three detentions within 12 month period
US Coast Guard has advised that they have now implemented a system that monitors vessels history and are in position to ban substandard vessels from entering US ports. The ban will be applied to vessels of non US flag with three detentions within a twelve month period. Vessels must comply to all international IMO and US regional requirements. Also the vessels must be able to prove that they have an effective ISM and that they do not represent a potential security threat. Read More...
Riyadh MOU concentrated inspection campaign regarding Safety of Navigation related items
18/10/10 Filed in: Port State Control
Riyadh MOU has announced a three month concentrated inspection campaign as from 1 October 2010 up to end of the year to verify compliance with safety of navigation in compliance with SOLAS chapter V. Six countries have signed Riyadh MOU (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE). Read More...
New list with acceptable cleaning agents for Chemical Tankers or Marpol Annex II vessels
According with 13.5.2 of revised Marpol Annex II which came in to force 1 January 2007, places restrictions on the cleaning agents used in tank cleaning operations applicable to chemical tankers or vessels with Marpol Annex II certificate. Restricted cleaning agents according to MEPC/Circ.363 can be used up to 31 December 2010 and can be sold up to 1 August 2010.
List of acceptable cleaning agents can be found in this post, to be used after the above dates.
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List of acceptable cleaning agents can be found in this post, to be used after the above dates.
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TOKYO MOU CIC on Harmful Substances
30/08/10 Filed in: Marpol | Port State Control
The Tokyo MOU and Indian Ocean MOU have announced a Concentrated Inspection Campaign CIC marine pollutants (harmful substances) carried in packaged form in accordance with Marpol Annex III, SOLAS VII and IMDG Code. The CIC is a three month campaign starting from 1 September 2010 up to 30 November 2010.
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ECDIS for New Buildings and Existing Vessels Requirement
Electronic Chart Display and Information System ECDIS will become mandatory to some types of new ships and some types of existing ships in their first periodical survey after the dates mentioned in the following table.
First periodical survey refers to the first annual, intermediate or class renewal survey after the following dates. Read More...
First periodical survey refers to the first annual, intermediate or class renewal survey after the following dates. Read More...
Paris MOU & Black Sea MOU CIC for damage stability on Oil, Chemical tankes and Gas Carriers
06/08/10 Filed in: Port State Control
As from 1st September 2010 until 30 November 2010 Paris MOU and Black Sea MOU will perform Concentrated Inspection Campaign CIC to verify correct damage stability on oil tankers, chemical Tankers and gas carriers. In this post you will find the check list Paris MOU provided for this campaign and explanatory notes (i.e which vessels require to have loading computers. etc) Read More...
Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) requirement
New buildings and existing ships need to be equipped with (BNWAS) in order to monitor bridge activity and detect bridge officers disability which could leak to marine accidents. Although due dates for existing ships are first periodical survey (annual intermediate, renewal) after 1 July 2012 the earliest, it is advisable to arrange retrofitting in forth coaming Dry Docking/SS/ITSS. In this post you will find what BNWAS is and applicable dates depending on vessels type and size. Read More...
LSA Code Amendments applicable to New Buildings
LSA Code amendments concerning changes to life jackets, life boys, immersion suits are applicable to vessels having keel laying on or after 1 July 2010. For vessels with keel laying before 1 July 2010 the LSA amendments are applicable for replacement equipment ONLY. Read More...
Indian Iron Ore fines liquefaction resulting to vessels capsize or excessive list
This post brings attention to the ship managers of the dangers that might arise from liquefaction of iron ore cargoes loaded from India ports during monsoon period. Also some useful tips how crew can detect cargoes with moisture content above TML that can lead to liquefaction. Read More...
Record keeping of Ozone Depleting Substances should be maintained onboard after 1 July 2010. (Update)
According with MARPOL ANNEX VI Regulation 12 as from 1 July 2010 vessels must have a list and record book of Ozone Depleting Substances.
This is an update from our previous post with the addition of periodic survey requirements. Furthermore will find list of Ozone Depleting Substances, sample list of equipment, what has to be recorded in ODS record book, commercial names of ODS and in what category and restrictions are applicable to each of them. Finally we will be glad to assist you in the above free of charge. Read More...
This is an update from our previous post with the addition of periodic survey requirements. Furthermore will find list of Ozone Depleting Substances, sample list of equipment, what has to be recorded in ODS record book, commercial names of ODS and in what category and restrictions are applicable to each of them. Finally we will be glad to assist you in the above free of charge. Read More...
Major MARPOL Annex VI amendments effective from 1 July 2010
In this post we present amendments of Marpol Annex VI regulations 2,6,12,13,14,15 and 16. Amendments are effective as from 1 July 2010. Read More...
Mandatory Fuel Oil Change Over Procedures as from 1 July 2010
According to Marpol Annex VI Regulation 14, on or after 1 July 2010 vessels should have written fuel oil change over procedures when using deferent grades of fuel oils before entering or after leaving Emission Control Areas. In this post you can download a low sulfur fuel oil change over calculator. Read More...
GL to increase dry docking period to 7.5 years
07/05/10 Filed in: Class
Well do not rush to transfer your vessel to GL if you are a Bulk carrier or Tanker operator. This requirement is applicable to the following type of vessels: Read More...Emergency Towing Procedures manuals
The amendments of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-4 according with IMO resolution MSC256(84) requires that not only tankers but ALL vessels should have an emergency towing procedure manual on board, based on existing equipment. Read More...
Update to China's Pre-Contract requirement with OSRO prior vessels entering Chines port
30/04/10 Filed in: Port State Control
Reference to our previous posting dated 28/2/2010 below, regarding vessels entering chinese ports caring liquid hazardous and pollutant bulk cargos and other vessels above 10000 GT is postponed until further notice. Managers are advised not to enter in to contractual agreements with OSRO until relevant rules have been published by Chinese MSA. Read More...
Increase of life & rescue boat occupants weight from 75 kg to 82.5 kg
The assumed mass of occupants of life boats and rescue boats is to be increase from 75 kg to 82.5 kg for vessels with keel laid on or after 1 July 2010 according with MSC 272(85). Read More...
PARIS MOU New Inspection Regime (NIR)
01/04/10 Filed in: Port State Control
In this post you will find information regarding reporting, inspection and banning requirements of Paris MOU New Inspection Regime applicable from 1 January 2011. Also some statistical data from detained vessels in the Paris MOU in the last 24 months, like list of deficiencies with frequency occurrence and also list of ports these detentions occurred and how often.
Please comment below if you have any useful info that you want to share.
Read More...
Please comment below if you have any useful info that you want to share.
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Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirement for discharges in US waters
10/03/10 Filed in: Port State Control
According with US Environmental Protective Agency (EPA), vessels grater than 300 GT or which hold the capacity to discharge more that 8 cubic meters of ballast water need to have Vessels General Permit (VGP) that regulates any of the 26 discharges listed below within 3 nautical miles from shore. Read More...
Pre-Contract regulation with OSRO for vessels entering Chinese ports
28/02/10 Filed in: Port State Control
All ships carrying hazardous and polluting cargo in bulk, and all other ships of 10,000 tons or more, to pre-contract with Oil Spill Response Organizations (“OSROs”) approved by the China Maritime Safety Agency (“MSA”) before entering a Chinese Port.
Effective from 1st March 2010. Read More...
Effective from 1st March 2010. Read More...
Increasing number of fines in Georgia relating to sewage water treatment
27/02/10 Filed in: Port State Control
Vessels in Georgia will be inspected as per standard procedure by Black Sea pollution inspectors who will carry out an inspection as per MARPOL requirements. The inspection will usually cover garbage and ballast management, oil record books and an inspection of the machinery spaces. It is quite common for a vessel to be identified as having deficiencies relating to the operation and maintenance of the sewage treatment equipment.
Read More...GMDSS SART or AIS SART installation is possible on board ships
29/01/10 Filed in: Statutory
Vessels having their keel laid on or after 1 January 2010 could use either GMDSS SART or AIS SART in order to allow the use of AIS transmitters in search and rescue operations. AIS-SART must be either class approved or MarED certified with “Whellmark”. Read More...
ISM amendments in force from 1 July 2010
28/01/10 Filed in: ISM
Amendments of the ISM code according to MSC.273(85) will come in to force from 1 July 2010. Read More...
Australian Port State Control focused inspection campaign regarding safe cargo stowage and container securing arrangements
27/01/10 Filed in: Port State Control
AMSA intents to conduct a three month focused inspection campaign (FIC) between 1 February 2010 to 30 April 2010 in all Australian ports. The FIC will primary concentrate on container securing arrangements. AMSAs intension is to ensure that masters comply with SOLAS Regulation 5 chapter VI relating to the stowage and securing of cargo.
Australia Maritime Safety Authority Marine Notice Focused Marine Inspection
Australia Maritime Safety Authority Marine Notice Focused Marine Inspection
Means for embarkation and disembarkation
26/01/10 Filed in: Statutory
Vessels having their keel laid on or after 1 January 2010 should have approved means foe embarkation/disembarkation for use in port and port related operations according with MSC256(84) Read More...
December 2009
30/12/09
Ship specific (VOC) Management Plan implementation.
As from 1st July 2010, all Tankers caring crud oil must have a ship specific Volatile Organic Compounds Management plan manual. The plan has to be submitted and approved by recognized organization like the class or flag administration. This requirement has raised after the latest amendment of MARPOL annex VI.
To cut the long story short
VOC management plan was introduced by IMO in order to minimize the emission as far as possible of gases produced by crude oil during cargo operations and at sea due to atmospheric pollution considerations.
Most vessel are equipped with an approved VECS (Vapor Emission Control System) that is sufficient in order vessel to comply with VOC requirement while vessel at port. If terminal does not support VECS then release of gases to the atmosphere is acceptable. Also during sea passage the monitoring of the pressure within the tank in order to keep pressure as high as possible and a manual release procedure of vaporous when reaching the upper limit according with MEPC1./Circ680 is sufficient to comply, in most cases, with MEPC 185(59) requirement. The above approach is recommended since it requires the minimum cost. The manual procedure is tailored for each vessel according with vessels equipment.
An other method to minimize VOC emissions (but not recommended) is to increase the atmospheric pressure within the tank by adjusting P/V valves accordingly. The limiting factor of the P/V valves adjustment, is the cargo tanks strength. Furthermore, adjustments have to be made to the P/V beaker and isolation/control valve of the mast riser.
The typical design pressure of a cargo tank is +2500mmWG and -700mmWG. Usually the P/V valves are set to +1400mmWG and -350 mmWG and the P/V breaker to +1800mmWg and -500mmWG. So there should not be any problems to increase the P/V valves settings in order to minimize the VOC emissions and to comply with resolution MEPC 185(59). The classification societies in order to approve the plan request evidence/calculations that such an increase in the pressure settings will not affect structural integrity. We do not recommend this type of modification due to above class requirements and due to additional cost for the adjustment and testing of P/V valves, breaker and sensors.
Finally there other methods to comply with the VOC requirement but it required hardware installation like KVOC valve, VOCON valve or vapour recovery system resulting to additional costs.
As from 1st July 2010, all Tankers caring crud oil must have a ship specific Volatile Organic Compounds Management plan manual. The plan has to be submitted and approved by recognized organization like the class or flag administration. This requirement has raised after the latest amendment of MARPOL annex VI.
To cut the long story short
VOC management plan was introduced by IMO in order to minimize the emission as far as possible of gases produced by crude oil during cargo operations and at sea due to atmospheric pollution considerations.
Most vessel are equipped with an approved VECS (Vapor Emission Control System) that is sufficient in order vessel to comply with VOC requirement while vessel at port. If terminal does not support VECS then release of gases to the atmosphere is acceptable. Also during sea passage the monitoring of the pressure within the tank in order to keep pressure as high as possible and a manual release procedure of vaporous when reaching the upper limit according with MEPC1./Circ680 is sufficient to comply, in most cases, with MEPC 185(59) requirement. The above approach is recommended since it requires the minimum cost. The manual procedure is tailored for each vessel according with vessels equipment.
An other method to minimize VOC emissions (but not recommended) is to increase the atmospheric pressure within the tank by adjusting P/V valves accordingly. The limiting factor of the P/V valves adjustment, is the cargo tanks strength. Furthermore, adjustments have to be made to the P/V beaker and isolation/control valve of the mast riser.
The typical design pressure of a cargo tank is +2500mmWG and -700mmWG. Usually the P/V valves are set to +1400mmWG and -350 mmWG and the P/V breaker to +1800mmWg and -500mmWG. So there should not be any problems to increase the P/V valves settings in order to minimize the VOC emissions and to comply with resolution MEPC 185(59). The classification societies in order to approve the plan request evidence/calculations that such an increase in the pressure settings will not affect structural integrity. We do not recommend this type of modification due to above class requirements and due to additional cost for the adjustment and testing of P/V valves, breaker and sensors.
Finally there other methods to comply with the VOC requirement but it required hardware installation like KVOC valve, VOCON valve or vapour recovery system resulting to additional costs.
P/V Breaker 
P/V Valve 
VOCON valve
Basic Theory
The total pressure of the atmosphere within the cargo tank is a combination of saturated and unsaturated gas pressure. The saturated presure depents on the temperature of the liquid cargo. The hotter the cargo the more gas vapors it emits resulting to grater pressure within the tank. When the total pressure in the tank exceeds the saturation pressure of the cargo then it stops to generate vapor and the gas pressure reach an equilibrium. The unsaturated pressure of the tanks atmosphere depends on gas temperature (not cargo temperature like saturated pressure) and usually is increased during the day when the deck heats up the gas underneath due to sun radiation and drops during the night since the gas cools down.
Controls for fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system for ships constructed before 1 July 2002.
As from the first scheduled dry dock after 1st January 2010 controls of fixed CO2 systems in E/R and cargo pump rooms on ships constructed before 1 July 2002 should comply with the following FSS code requirements. Most of vessels contacted after 1 October 1994 comply with the below requirement
Carbon dioxide systems shall comply with the following requirements:
- 1. Two separate controls shall be provided for releasing carbon dioxide into a protected space and to ensure the activation of the alarm. One control shall be used for opening the valve of the piping which conveys the gas into the protected space and a second control shall be used to discharge the gas from its storage containers; and
- 2. The two controls shall be located inside a release box clearly identified for the particular space. If the box containing the controls is to be locked, a key to the box shall be in a break-glass-type enclosure conspicuously located adjacent to the box.
The above requirement is in accordance with Resolution MSC 256(84) and you can read it in the top of page 4 in the following link:
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D22037/256%2884%29.pdf
New sulfur limit for vessels approaching, berthing EU, and us state of California.
As from 1st January 2010, ships at berth for longer than 2 hours within ports in the European Union are required to switch to 0.1 % sulphur content marine fuel oil.
Details can be found in our November newsletter.
Useful info, Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ), can be found in LR web site: http://www.lr.org/NR/rdonlyres/945C914F-34DE-4428-9332-F27262E5FB3A/103300/ASmithEUSulphurDirective1.pdf
and
http://www.lr.org/NR/rdonlyres/945C914F-34DE-4428-9332-F27262E5FB3A/102999/AtberthFAQFinalV2.pdf
You can download technical newsletters regarding operating of engines and boilers with low sulphur fuels in our technical library