United States Environmental Protection Agency stops accepting FONARs

In a recent Marine Safety Information Bulletin issued by the U.S. Coast Guard it was confirmed that a new procedure has been implemented to notify the U.S. government regarding the non-availability of compliant fuel.

The specific wording of the bulletin confirms that as of the 30th June 2019 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop accepting Fuel Oil Non-Availability Reports (FONARs).

The bulletin confirms that the changes take immediate effect and relate directly to owners and operators of vessels operating in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA).

The bulletin states:

“1. Effective immediately, owners and operators of vessels operating in the North American (NA) or U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) that are unable to acquire sufficient MARPOL Annex VI compliant fuel oil at a foreign or U.S. port may satisfy the MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18.2.4 requirement to notify the competent authority of the relevant port of destination by notifying the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP). Effective June 30, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop accepting Fuel Oil Non-Availability Reports (FONARs).”

The full Marine Safety Information bulletin can be downloaded from the USCG website using the below link:

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/MSIB/2019/MSIB_005_19.pdf?ver=2019-06-28-094538-950

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