Attached (and link provided) is a LAMA Circular detailing the changes to the IMO Low Sulphur Fuel Oil requirements that become effective January 1, 2020.

Highlights include:

• Effective January 1, 2019, vessels operating outside an Emission Control Area (ECA) are limited to the use of fuel oil that has a maximum sulphur content of 0.50% (down from 3.5%).
• For vessels operating within an ECA, there is no change.  The maximum sulphur content of the fuel oil is limited to 0.10%.
  • Therefore, vessels visiting US ports (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) are still required to meet the maximum sulphur limit of 0.10% (implemented January 1, 2015).
• For vessel visiting US ports that are unable to obtain compliant fuel, the Fuel Oil Non-Available Report (FONAR) is no longer submitted to the US EPA.  Those vessels must notify the cognizant USCG COTP.