The Spanish Maritime Administration (DGMM) has issued a procedure in order to avoid the use of fuel with low sulphur content, in EEZ waters, territorial sea and Spanish port waters, of the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS)
The Maritime Administration and the Port Authority must be informed about the arrival of ships in port that have emission reduction methods and intend to use them.
Procedure for the acceptance of the EGCS (Scrubbers)
Any ship that has an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS), in order to avoid the use of fuel with low sulphur content, in waters of the EEZ, sea territorial and Spanish port waters, must inform it to the Maritime Captaincy, providing the following documents in accordance with the guidelines of Resolution MEPC 259 (68) and according to the plan chosen for approval, recognition and certification of the EGCS: (see the table below)
| Document | Scheme A – Parameter check | Scheme B – Continuous Monitoring | ||||||
| SOx Emissions Compliance Plan (SECP) |
X | X | ||||||
| SOx Emissions Compliance Certificate (SECP) |
X | |||||||
| EGCS Technical Manual, Scheme A (ETM-A) |
X | |||||||
| EGCS Technical Manual, Scheme B (ETM-B) |
X | |||||||
| Onboard Monitoring Manual (OMM) | X | X | ||||||
| EGC Record Book or Electronic Logging System |
X | X |
In addition, they must also provide:
– International Certificate of Prevention of Air Pollution (IAPP) of the current vessel.
– Supplement to the International Certificate for the Prevention of Air Pollution of the Vessel, which must include, in section 2.6, that the ship has an EGCS (Supplement to IAPP Certificate)
Upon receipt of the above documentation, the Maritime Captaincy may request clarifications or carry out an on-board inspection to verify the efficiency of the system’s operation.- International Certificate of Prevention of Air Pollution (IAPP) of the current vessel.
– Supplement to the International Certificate for the Prevention of Air Pollution of the Vessel, which must include, in section 2.6, that the ship has an EGCS (Supplement to IAPP Certificate)
If, within a period of ten working days from receipt of the documentation, the Shipper or its Consignee Agent has not received a communication from the Maritime Captaincy denying the use of the system, the use of the EGCS can be used in Spanish waters, and in case of being used in port, it should be used for all combustion units that are being used in port, in substitution of the use of low sulphur fuel.
The vessel will be added to a registry in the Captaincy, valid while its IAPP certificate is in force, and the new copy must be provided for the renewal or endorsement of the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate to maintain the registry.
Since the system would be used in port waters, the corresponding authorization from the Port Authority should also be obtained for its use.
