Chalos SMA Presentation Feb 2015 - Society of Maritime Arbitrators
Transcription
Chalos SMA Presentation Feb 2015 - Society of Maritime Arbitrators
The New MARPOL ANNEX VI Regulations, Requirements and Issues Michael G. Chalos K&L Gates, LLP © Copyright 2015 by K&L Gates LLP. All rights reserved. ROADMAP Regulatory Background Consequences of Drop from 1% to 0.1% Increased cost of compliance Increased cost of non-compliance EPA’s new Penalty Policy Issues Moving Forward Liability between shipowners and charterers Impact on other contractual provisions Effect on P&I Coverage The Next Magic Pipe? Conclusion klgates.com 1 PART ONE REGULATORY BACKGROUND klgates.com 2 REGULATORY BACKGROUND MARPOL MARPOL is an international treaty that emerged as a result of a determination by various maritime nation-states that ships transiting in international waters are a significant source of pollution and that this problem can be effectively addressed only if each of the participating nations passed domestic laws to enforce MARPOL’s rules and regulations. The individual sections of the convention have become active at different times as each section received the required number of signatory states. Annex 1, which includes regulations for the prevention of oil, has been in active the longest and has been in force for over twenty years. Today, we are dealing with Annex VI. klgates.com 3 MARPOL: Annex VI Key Facts Focus Today First entered force in 2005 Governs Sulphur oxides Fuel oil availability and quality control Ozone depletion substances Nitrogen oxides Sulphur oxides Volatile organic compounds Fuel oil availability and quality control klgates.com 4 MARPOL: ANNEX VI Sulphur Content in Fuel Two regimes Global standards: Apply to commercial vessels greater than 400 gross tons engaged in international voyage Global standards are more lenient than ECA standards Specific geographic standards that vary across Emission Control Areas (or ECAs) Ships become subject to ECA standards when they are within 200 miles of the shore What do the regulations govern? klgates.com The percentage of sulphur content of fuel used on board, which includes use in main and auxiliary engines and boilers Ships must maintain bunker delivery notes Port and coastal states can use Port State Control to verify compliance, and they can use air surveillance to assess vessel smokestack plumes. 5 The North American ECA (Enforced as of August 1, 2012) klgates.com 6 MARPOL: ANNEX VI How Does This International Treaty Get Enforced? The United States enforces MARPOL regulations through the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, or APPS APPS was enacted in 1980 to implement MARPOL into US domestic law. Creates a comprehensive administration, inspection and enforcement regime Provides authority to the US Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce MARPOL provisions. Criminal and Civil Penalties for violations klgates.com 7 COAST GUARD ENFORCEMENT Basic Inspection “Expanded” Exam What the Inspectors Look At klgates.com 8 WHAT THE INSPECTORS LOOK AT? Basic Inspection Review IAPP Certificate Review EIAPP Certificate Review Exhaust Cleaning Systems Documentation (If Fitted) for each engine Review Type Approval Certificate for Incinerator Examine the Vessel’s Incinerator Review Bunker Delivery Notes (spot check) for each fuel delivery Verify Fuel Samples Onboard (spot check) for each fuel delivery Verify vessel is utilizing low sulphur fuel oil Will entail review of logbooks, sounding records, changeover procedures, and informal queries of crew to ensure they understand the policies Examine Any Alternative Compliance Methods used (if applicable) klgates.com 9 WHAT THE INSPECTORS LOOK AT? “Expanded” Exam Might include… Review Technical Files Review Record Books Review Reports of Non-Compliance provided to Flag Sound Tanks and Compare with Shipboard Annex VI Records Examine/Test Equipment Used to Switch Over to ECA Compliant Fuel Review any Report of Non-Availability Inspect potential sources of Ozone Depleting Substances Test Incinerator “Interview” Crewmembers klgates.com 10 ONE LAST THING ABOUT APPS Whistleblowing Provision Whistleblowers often ignore company policies and report directly to the Coast Guard, divesting owners of the opportunity to correct a problem that, most times, they didn’t even know existed The Department of Justice openly offers lucrative awards to anyone who notifies the government of wrongdoing that eventually results in a conviction and fine The reward can be as large as 50% of the total APPS fine. No internal reporting requirement! klgates.com 11 THE ANNEX VI STANDARD By the numbers ECA Standard Global Standard 2012-2020: 3.5% 2012-2015: 1% As of Jan. 1 2020: 0.5% As of Jan. 1 2015: 0.1% Important in 2020 Important right now! klgates.com 12 PART TWO CONSEQUENCES OF DROP FROM 1% TO 0.1% klgates.com 13 INCREASED COST OF COMPLIANCE Compliant fuel is more likely to cause ignition and combustion problems Compliant fuel will likely result in an increase in catalytic fines Cause engine damage Result in personal injury to crew Difficulty and time/energy in training new crew on new fuel May result in complications when changing to lowsulphur fuel in preparation for entry to an ECA Compliant fuel is less available than non-compliant fuel… meaning it is more expensive. Additional paperwork and regulations to deal with both on board and shoreside klgates.com 14 INCREASED COST OF NON-COMPLIANCE Low enforcement of 1% standard The 2008 changes clearly anticipated some challenges in decreasing from 1.5% all the way down to 0.1%. There haven’t been a lot of “tickets” for violating the 1% limit that went into place in 2012, and we have expected for a while that that would change when the limit dropped to 0.1%. The EPA’s new Penalty Policy, discussed in the next section, all but confirms that expectation. klgates.com 15 COSTS OF NON-COMPLIANCE Civil and Criminal Penalties. Fines of up to $500,000 for each violation Department of Justice charges multiple counts to increase the possible sentence and/or fine imposed Variety of additional tools used by the government Arrest, detain and/or confiscate the vessel to obtain a security and/or collect fines Criminally charge vessel personnel Hold vessel personal as material witnesses for indefinite periods of time Criminally charge owning, operating and/or management companies, as well as the corporate officers of those companies, under theories of vicarious liability klgates.com 16 EPA’S NEW PENALTY POLICY Released January 15, 2015 On January 15, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new penalty policy that describes the methods by which the EPA will assess civil penalties for violations of the ECA regulations. The Coast Guard will enforce the EPA’s policy pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies The progressive reduction period is over—we expect the US government to be more aggressive in enforcing Annex VI moving forward klgates.com 17 EPA’S NEW PENALTY POLICY CONT… Key Provisions The EPA’s policy, referencing its primary goal of deterrence, concentrates on two components: the “economic benefit” component and the “gravity” component. Economic benefit component: focuses on the benefit the wrongdoer enjoyed as a result of noncompliance, using a mathematical formula based on the price difference between compliant and non-compliant fuel and the amount of noncompliant fuel used while within the ECA. The policy explicitly states that it will estimate these numbers when actual data is not available. Gravity component: The gravity component intends to reflect the seriousness of the violation. For example, the EPA will consider the actual sulphur content of the fuel--burning fuel with a .05% fuel content is obviously less serious than fuel with a 5% fuel content, and the EPA’s policy reflects that. klgates.com 18 EPA’S NEW PENALTY POLICY Lots of wiggle room for the government If that sounds like a lot of wiggle room and ambiguity, welcome to working with the US government. The government tends to use the factors and/or its sacrosanct formulas when it finds the numbers favorable, but readily ignores the factors wherever it suits the government’s interest The use of and focus on the economic benefit of noncompliance may well be completely illegal. Unlike other statutes that use the economic benefit factor as guidance, the statute granting the EPA authority does not mention economic benefit at all. Instead, the statute lays out a number of factors that the EPA must consider. The Penalty Policy all but ignores these factors and states that the economic benefit factor can trump the statutory ones. the agency seems very unconcerned with cooperation of any kind: noncooperation is essentially defined as capitulation. klgates.com 19 PART THREE Main Issues Moving Forward klgates.com 20 ISSUE ONE: WHOSE FINE IS IT ANYWAY? Liability Between Parties In the event that a ship fails to comply with Annex VI and the government learns of that non-compliance, the first issue will involve who bears responsibility. When a vessel is under time charter, the following parties are involved in bunkering: the shipowner, the charterer, the bunkers broker and the fuel supplier. Which of these parties bears responsibility for MARPOL compliance? The government does not view its task as trying to find the person or persons most responsible; it will seek to find any person or entity that may be held responsible. As such, fines and criminal penalties will probably be levied against all parties that the government believes had anything to do with the non-compliance. Where possible, the government will likely seek civil and criminal fines for the owner and manager and will often seek jail time for the individual wrongdoers. klgates.com 21 ISSUE ONE: WHOSE FINE IS IT ANYWAY? CONT.. Having said that… Shipowner: As a general rule, MARPOL compliance is shipowner’s responsibility Charterer: May be liable to shipowner (and potentially to the USCG and/or EPA) based on actual fault and indemnity language in the charterparty Fuel Supplier: Suppliers in MARPOL signatory countries have an obligation to comply with Annex VI requirements, and shipowners/ charterers can bring claims if fuel is off-spec. However, due to strong bargaining position, claims are usually limited to the value of the bunkers provided Bunker Broker: Typically deemed an agent of the purchaser, and thus not a party to the contract and not subject to liability klgates.com 22 LIABILITY BETWEEN SHIP-OWNERS AND CHARTERERS Most likely subject of future litigation and arbitration Shipowner seek to recoup fines that it believes trace to the charterer’s wrongdoing The charterer may seek to recover damages and business losses that result from the ship’s detention Bunker Clause THREE KEY CLAUSES Responsibilities Clauses klgates.com Off-Hire Clauses 23 LIABILITY BETWEEN SHIP-OWNERS AND CHARTERERS Bunker Clauses Typical bunker clauses provide that the charterer will be responsible to the shipowner for any loss or damage that the owner suffers as a result of unsuitable fuels Under that language, charterers will bear full financial responsibility for violations of Annex VI if they fail to provide compliant fuel, including reductions in speed performance and increased consumption as a result of noncompliance. Note that the language does not distinguish between intentional and unintentional failure to provide compliant fuel. klgates.com 24 LIABILITY BETWEEN SHIP-OWNERS AND CHARTERERS Ways to eliminate uncertainty BIMCO has recently published a clause that is intended to balance the rights and responsibilities of owners and charterers in light of Annex VI. The clause provides that the charterer will be liable to the owner when the physical supplier delivers non-compliant fuel. However, if the fuel is compliant, the owner will be fully responsible for MARPOL violations, as well as for operational failures such as the failure to change over to low sulphur fuel before entering an ECA. klgates.com 25 LIABILITY BETWEEN SHIP-OWNERS AND CHARTERERS Off-Hire Clause Typical off-hire clauses mandate, in relevant part, that vessel shall be deemed off-hire the vessel is unable to comply with the instructions of the Charterer as a result of 1. any deficiency of the Master, Officers and/or Crew to perform or 2. the arrest of the vessel at the suit of a claimant except where the arrest is caused by the charterer. Coast Guard detention will render the crew unable to perform Where the Annex VI violation occurs due to a crewmembers’ failure, the clause establishes that the vessel will be off-hire. Charterer’s obligations to pay hire will cease after an arrest, unless arrest caused by charterer’s failure. klgates.com 26 LIABILITY BETWEEN SHIP-OWNERS AND CHARTERERS Off-Hire Clause (Cont.) The “arrest” clause can also potentially attach liability to the shipowner, though this clause leaves more room for modification should parties wish to limit or enhance the owner’s exposure. Does “at the suit of a claimant” include suits by the US government? Modified clauses may clarify this one way or the other Deletion of the phrase “except where the arrest is caused by the charterer” may leave the shipowner exposed If a vessel is arrested because the charterer failed to obtain compliant fuel, the vessel will be deemed off-hire if the clause does not include the exception klgates.com 27 LIABILITY BETWEEN SHIP-OWNERS AND CHARTERERS Responsibilities Clause This clause speaks only to cargo claims, but includes claims relating to delays to the cargo. Such delays can be caused by detention by the USCG. When they are, this clause potentially divides responsibilities between the charterer and owner for the costs associated with that delay Typically enumerates certain responsibilities of each party and then provides that all claims arising from any other cause will be shared equally between the owner and the charterer. The only typical enumerated clause that potentially speaks to this issue is that the owner is liable for claims arising from the failure of the Owner and its servants to exercise due diligence to make the vessel seaworthy. As discussed below, extent to which “seaworthiness” includes Annex VI compliance is unclear klgates.com 28 ISSUE TWO: IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS OF CHARTER CONTRACT Trading Warranties Fuel Specifications Provisions Impacted By Compliance Vessel Readiness Allowed Deviations klgates.com 29 IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS OF CONTRACT Trading Warranties Trading warranties govern the geographical range in which a vessel can trade. They often, but not always, list expressly excluded ports, countries and areas. These limitations limit the shipowners’ exposure by preventing charterers from trading outside of the specified limits. Shipowners should evaluate the costs associated with Annex VI compliance, as avoiding ECAs will avoid the need to use .1% fuel. klgates.com 30 IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS OF CONTRACT Vessel Readiness Shipowners typically undertake that the vessel will be physically and otherwise ready to perform the lawful orders of the charterers, trade within agreed ranges, and carry agreed cargoes The obligation extends beyond basic seaworthiness, though a shipowner can negotiate down from that as well. The extent of this obligation depends on individual charterparty terms klgates.com 31 IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS OF CONTRACT Vessel Readiness—ECA Obligations Unclear how extensive the obligation is on shipowners to take steps to modify the vessel to make her ready for trading in ECAs while using compliant fuel Because compliant fuel will need to be segregated from higher-sulphur fuels to avoid cross contamination, vessels will need particular tank and line arrangements and capacity to complete the segregation safely. Less of an issue for newer ships Older vessels may require significant cleaning and/or overhauls to allow compliance. Many charter parties that went into effect prior to January 1, 2015 continue in effect well beyond that date. The modification and costs that may be associated with compliance require time, money and possible revisions to existing agreements. klgates.com 32 IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS OF CONTRACT Fuel Specifications Bunker clauses already receive a lot of attention in charterparties because MARPOL compliance is one of many issues impacted by fuel. Despite recent drops in prices, fuel costs remain a large factor in a vessel’s daily running costs and, as noted, using compliant fuel will increase those expenses significantly. Annex VI Issues re: Specifications klgates.com Many existing charter parties require that any fuel supplied must be fit and safe for the specific vessel’s engine Requirement is implied under English law Requirement has not been litigated as relates to the use of Annex VI-compliant fuel, Parties should consider including an express warranty as party of the comprehensive bunker fuel clause. 33 ISSUE THREE: EFFECT ON P&I COVERAGE What Is P&I Coverage? Does It Cover Annex VI? Protection and Indemnity insurance, known almost exclusively as P&I coverage, is a form of insurance provided by a mutual insurance association based on risk pooling. P&I coverage does not extend to willful misconduct and criminal activity cannot be insured against. klgates.com P&I coverage does not extend to willful misconduct or criminal activity. As a result, P&I clubs have historically not insured against the risks associated with MARPOL violations. Clubs can provide discretionary cover where the member satisfies the club that he took steps as were reasonably necessary to avoid the event giving rise to the fine. However, Annex VI violations potentially provide more wiggle room than the strict Annex I regulations on oil discharge. 34 EFFECT ON P&I COVERAGE What might get covered? While owner’s P&I policies usually do not cover damage to hull and machinery (there is separate H&M coverage for those liabilities), Clubs and fixed premium insurers do offer comprehensive policies to charterers that insure against liability for damage to the hull. Liability for physical damage caused by the shift to compliant fuel is therefore probably a covered risk under the policy. Liability for personal injury to do exposure to toxic substances is a covered P&I risk. Legal costs associated with any of these covered risks are also probably covered under the policy. P&I clubs under their FD&D covers will provide compensation for legal and other costs relating to Annex VI disputes between the owner and the charterer. klgates.com 35 ISSUE FOUR: WILL “MAGIC FUEL” BE THE NEXT “MAGIC PIPE?” What is a “Magic Pipe”? Annex I governs the discharge of oil and oil/water mixtures. APPS using strict record-keeping regulations to essentially obtain jurisdiction for environmental crimes committed in international waters. Annex I allegations usually involve the use of a pipe to bypass the vessel’s Oil/Water Separator Hence—“Magic Pipes” klgates.com 36 THE NEXT MAGIC PIPE Key Annex VI/ECA Recordkeeping Requirements Bunker delivery notes – Regulation 18.5 and 40 C.F.R. § 1043.70 (maintained for three years) Maintain representative fuel oil samples – taken at the time of fuel oil delivery, sealed/signed by Master of Officer in Charge. Regulation 18.8.1 and 40 C.F.R. § 1043.70 (maintained for one year) Written fuel oil changeover procedures – must show how and when the fuel oil changeover is done to ensure that only compliant fuel oil is burned within the ECA. Regulation 14.6 and 40 C.F.R. § 1043.70 klgates.com 37 THE NEXT MAGIC PIPE Fuel Oil Changeover Logbook (a.k.a. Sulphur Record Book) – See Annex VI Regulation 14.6 and 40 C.F.R. § 1043.70 Vessels must log: Fuel changeover procedures Vessel’s position/date/time at entrance/exit from ECA Volume of low sulphur fuel onboard Position, date and time of any fuel-oil changeover operation prior to entering and after exiting an ECA MUST BE COMPLETE, ACCURATE OR TRUTHFUL Other important records: Record Book of Diesel Engine Parameters Ozone Depleting Substances Record Book Recordkeeping requirements allow US to assert jurisdiction over foreign flag vessels for all violations of Annex VI on the high seas! klgates.com 38 THE NEXT MAGIC PIPE The False Statement Act (18 U.S.C. § 1001) Sarbanes Oxley (18 U.S.C. § 1519) Tampering with Witnesses (18 U.S.C. § 1512) Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371) DOJ “Toolkit” Obstruction of Justice (18 U.S.C. §1505) klgates.com What does this mean for shipowners? Applicable charging statutes that allow the DOJ to obtain higher fines and take stronger negotiating position to enforce the regulations against shipowners and charterers. 39 THE NEXT MAGIC PIPE “Playing Defense” Expect scrutiny of logbooks and records by Coast Guard Port State Control inspectors Practice sound International Safety Management (ISM) Code policies and procedures Train onboard vessel personnel Know the requirements, policies, and options available Accuracy of ship records is essential Expect more Annex VI related disputes to be arbitrated klgates.com 40 Michael G. Chalos Partner 212.536.4097 [email protected] Michael Chalos has been practicing maritime law for more than 35 years. During such time, Mr. Chalos has handled numerous matters involving traditional maritime issues such as collisions, groundings, arbitrations, failure of equipment, damage to cranes and offshore rigs, cargo and other damages, general average, arrests, insurance (relating to cargo, P&I, hull, indemnity and general liability), issues involving Marpol and APPS violations, compliance, and defense of both civil and criminal matters falling under APPS, OPA, the Clean Water Act and other environmental regulations, dealing with the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), and related governmental agencies such as the Coast Guard, EPA, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE),and its sub-agencies, as well as commercial disputes, drafting of charter parties, bills of lading, Memorandum of Agreements for the sale and purchase of vessels and rigs, Management Agreements, pooling arrangements and agreements, registration of vessels in U.S. and other jurisdictions around the world, financing of vessel purchases and leasing. Michael is a Member of the United States Maritime Law Association and a Proctor in Admiralty. klgates.com 42