The NA-ECA enters into force on August 1, 2012, and would set a 1% limit on the sulphur content of marine fuel, followed by a 0.1% limit in 2015. The proposed Regulations would also implement a regime to control air emissions from Canadian vessels in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence waters.
Due to significant additional discussions required with the domestic marine industry, the marine air emissions regulatory package will be delayed by a few months and will not come into effect on August 1, 2012, to implement the NA-ECA and standards for Canadian vessels operating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence waters.
Until the proposed Regulations come into force, there would be no means to enforce international standards under the NA-ECA to limit the sulphur content in marine fuel to 1%, which come into effect internationally on August 1, 2012. As well, there would also be no means to implement new domestic standards for vessels voyaging in the Great Lakes and St Lawrence waters. As a result of the above, interim measures are required for the period of August 1, 2012, to when the Regulations come into force, which is expected towards the end of 2012.
Under the current Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations, Marine Safety Inspectors can take the following measures for all vessels in Canadian ports:
- International Air Pollution Prevention Certificates for Canadian vessels over 400 gross tonnage may be issued or endorsed, if so requested by their authorized representatives and that the vessels meets the applicable requirements set out in Annex VI to MARPOL.
- International Air Pollution Prevention Certificates held by any vessel over 400 gross tonnage may be examined.
- The bunker delivery notes of any vessel over 400 gross tonnage, which stipulate the sulphur content of fuel delivered to the vessel, may be examined. Under section 124 of the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations, a vessel’s bunker delivery note must contain the information set out in Appendix 1.
- Canadian vessels and pleasure craft destined to the North Sea or the Baltic Sea are subject to section 8 of the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations, which requires them to comply with Emission Control Area standards when in those waters as set out in Annex VI to MARPOL.
In the event a vessel is found in the NA-ECA to have fuel onboard with sulphur content greater than 1%, Marine Safety Inspectors may verbally advise the Master of the pending air emissions standards and the fact that they will soon be enforceable.
Source: SAFETY4SEA
Officer of the Watch 
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