New IMO rules from Jan. 1 could keep unprepared vessels from shipping biofuels

In the UK, Rivertrace Engineering says new changes to the International Maritime Organization’s updated rules require that as of Jan. 1, 2016 vessels that haven’t upgraded to IMO standards for oil discharge monitoring equipment won’t be allowed to transport biofuels or biofuel blends. About 2,600 vessels worldwide are required to calibrate to biofuels, which for newer vessels manufactured after 2005 shouldn’t incur high costs but older vessels could have to invest in major changes.