The checklist was developed by the
IBIA Technical Working Group as part of the ongoing update of the IBIA/BIMCO
Shipmaster’s Bunkering Manual. It is intended to help vessel operators and
crews address practical considerations when bunkering and consuming biofuel
blends, particularly during their first use onboard. The guidance addresses several aspects of
onboard biofuel management, including fuel assessment, compatibility checks,
tank preparation, water management and bunkering procedures. It also covers
fuel storage and monitoring of machinery performance, providing crews with a
framework for managing operational considerations associated with FAME-containing
marine fuels. The checklist is based
on CIMAC Guideline 04|2024, Marine fuels containing FAME, and is
intended to serve as a practical tool for supporting fuel management onboard. The IMO said that as the use of biofuel
blends in shipping continues to increase, clear and practical guidance for
crews and vessel operators is becoming increasingly important. The inclusion of the checklist in an IMO
document makes the guidance available to the organisation’s membership and
formally brings the work of the IBIA Technical Working Group into an IMO
document.