Following the coming in to effect of the new ultra low sulphur fuel requirements for the North American Emission Control Area, concerns have been raised about possible loss of propulsion issues relating to fuel changeovers. Concerns are also raised about compliant fuel availability. The development The New Orleans sector of the USCG has published a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (reproduced alongside this advisory) which informs that a number of parties have expressed concerns about the possible risk of loss of propulsion events which may be linked to fuel change-over procedures, particularly while navigating in ports or other restricted waters. The advice of the US Coast Guard is that vessels should seek to complete all necessary fuel change-over procedures well before they are due to enter the lower Mississippi River. It is reported, however, that due to some vessels lacking sufficient quantities of MARPOL compliant fuel on arrival or not having any available at all, they had to source the fuel post arrival and then engage in a fuel change-over. Availability of MARPOL compliant fuel There is anecdotal evidence of some vessels not having been able to obtain compliant fuel, i.e.: fuel of no more than 0.10 % sulphur mass, or insufficient quantities of such fuel being available. Members are reminded that should they find themselves in such a situation then they will need to ensure that a FONAR (Fuel Oil Non Availability Report) is filed in due time and with full disclosure. It is worth remembering that US FONAR reports come with a penal notice against false reporting that will be taken very seriously. Further information on the issue of penalties can be found in "North American ECA zones and compliance". For members' reference, attached are the EPA's interim FONAR Guidance and the FOND instructions for the filing of a report. Important request:   Should members encounter difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of MARPOL compliant fuel, they are asked to