If a seagoing vessel debunkers fuel oil that has been rejected for propulsion purposes in a port in the Netherlands, this must always be reported to the competent authorities. In most cases, this will be the port authority.
No return: notification to the ILT
If the supplier does not take back the rejected fuel oil, the competent authorities must inform the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). A request to debunker fuel oil serves as an indication to the ILT that the bunkering of marine fuel oil may not have corresponded with the details provided in the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN). The ILT will then determine the appropriate level of oversight.
Handling non-returned fuel oil
Rejected fuel oil may only be redistributed if it meets the requirements for use on other vessels or in different navigation areas. If the sulphur content exceeds the limit for Emission Control Areas (EMAs), it may only be supplied to vessels equipped with a sulphur scrubber.
If the fuel oil does not meet the required standards or specifications under the agreed standard, the seagoing vessel may only hand it over to processors who are licensed by the competent authorities, to whom debunkering must also be reported.
Processors or blenders may often bring rejected fuel oil up to specification through distillation, filtration or blending with other blendstock. This is not permitted in the case of contamination with halogens (such as chlorine, bromine or iodine), PCBs, freons, brominated flame retardants, arsenic, chromium, cadmium or mercury. In such cases, licensed waste processors with a BIA permit (in Dutch) must dispose of and process the fuel oil as waste in accordance with regulations.