Recently vessels have been detained in the United States, due to operating with non-compliant fuel within the North American Emission Control Area (ECA).

The ECA was entered into force 1 August 2012 and states that fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 1 % m/m must be used when operating within 200 nautical off the United States coast.

In the above cases compliant fuel was available onboard but the Masters and the Chief Engineers failed to recognize the ECA regulations now in force.

Please find attached US Coast Guard FAQ regarding ECA below.

USCG-ECA-FAQs-Rev-8-30-2012_3.pdf

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