The Port of Abidjan has issued a note advising that from 1 January 2023 it will be mandatory for all calling vessels to dispose of onboard waste oils and sludge prior to departure.

As the North P&I Club informs, the requirements are based on a 1999 port regulation which stipulates that “all vessels must evacuate prior to her departure and at his own expense the waste, polluted water and used oils on board.”

Although not previously enforced, an “awareness period” started in January 2020. But as of 1 January 2023, the provision will become mandatory for all vessels.

In another announcement, the UAE Maritime Administration informed that it now requires from the ships planning to receive bunker with Sulphur content of more than (0.5% m/m) in UAE waters and ports to provide the port authority with a copy of the valid International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPP Certificate).

More specifically, port authorities in UAE are requested to confirm, prior to approving the bunkering operations for High Sulphur Fuel (HSF), a copy of the IAPP certificate is obtained from the receiving ship to ensure the existence of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems EGCS (scrubber).