Surplus sulphur

A port agent was asked by the Master of a ship what the sulphur requirements were at berth.

The agent replied that fuel with an upper limit of 0.5% sulphur must be used, whereas in fact it was an upper limit of 0.1%. The authorities, upon inspection of the ship, found she had not transferred over to 0.1% and fined the ship EUR 12,000.

The owner claimed against the agent. There was a clear error on the part of the agent and ITIC agreed to reimburse the claim in full.