9 LMM V I S I O N ISSUE 20 | Q1 2025 SEAFARERS’ INTERVIEW INTERVIEW WITH SEAFARERS MEDITERRANEAN ECA AND NEW CHALLENGES Considering that on 1st May the Mediterranean Sea became an Emission Control Area (ECA) for SOx emissions, what challenges do you face prior / during entry and exit Mediterranean ECA (SOx & NOx)? DL: As Master, one of the challenges that I face is the availability of sufficient quantity of compliant fuel, if the bunkers are not to the max capacity prior her entry, as destination or stay within ECA might be prolonged by last minute instructions of charterers. On that case, vessel may need additional bunkers, where usually several days intervene between order and delivery. Above challenge is subject to vessels that are not equipped with EGCS at all, or their systems can’t scrub down the emissions below 0.1%. Another challenge is following the proper and correct procedures for change over to and from compliant fuel, without any deviation or equipment failure. JP: When navigating the Mediterranean Emission Control Area (ECA), we may face several challenges during entry and exit, one of them is the fuel availability (LSMGO for this type of vessel) it has to be ensured that prior entry, the vessel have sufficient amount in order to transit the whole length of the Mediterranean Sea as well as enough storage capacity of the low sulfur fuel, taking into consideration time of vessel’s stay at port. In this case a proper planning should be utilized in order to maintain the vessel’s compliance while inside ECA’s limits, for vessels equipped with scrubbers need to ensure they are function correctly and properly maintained in order to meet the emission standards. During transit, proper monitoring of fuel consumptions and machineries are vital, also checking the performance of scrubber to ensure with ECA regulations. During exit, fuel switching management procedures should be carried out carefully, scrubbers need to be operated and monitored correctly to enIn this issue, we have the pleasure to host Capt. D. Ladas (DL) of YIANNIS LATSIS, Capt. N. Delias (ND) of BEAUFORT, Capt. J. Prudente (JP) and C/E G. Spyropoulos (GS) of HELLAS SPARTA, Capt. B. Seman (BS) and C/E P. Gisdakis (PG) of HELLAS NEMESIS and Capt. P. Foteinopoulos (PF) of HELLAS DYNASTY. All of the interviewers are well experienced and we are glad they share with us their knowledge and opinion on the new challenges of the Mediterranean ECA.
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