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Cloud software company Inatech has this month launched ECA Compliance, a rules based application and reporting tool that is designed to give ship operators the information and reports needed to show continuous compliance with the 2015 emission control area (ECA) regulations.

The new application is being showcased [pictured] at this week's Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON)

From January 2015, ships travelling in ECAs will be required to burn fuel containing less than 0.1% sulphur. In addition to complying with the regulations, owners will have to provide evidence they purchased compliant fuel; produce reports that show fuel on board meets the standard; record fuel changeover as the ship moves in and out of the ECA; and have written procedures in place to show how fuel changeover is done.

ECA Compliance, part of Shiptech - Inatech’s cloud-based fuel management product suite - is designed to allow ship operators to record, track and report on their adherence with ECAs, ensuring stakeholders can see continuous compliance. The application also alerts ship operators, reminding them to change over fuel when the ship enters or leaves an ECA.

"The change in regulations will impact price, fuel procurement and fuel quality. The increase in demand for low sulphur fuel can affect the price while the lack of availability of the fuel will force ship operators to rethink fuel procurement. This volatility is likely to lead to an increase in low-quality fuel such as off-spec fuel or fuel pumped with air to increase the volume, known as the ‘cappuccino effect’," Inatech said in a statement.

The tech company added: "Shiptech addresses these issues by streamlining fuel procurement, avoiding last minute purchases and supporting negotiations. It ensures accuracy of both quality and quantity of fuel through integrated operations and claims handling. It also provides reporting to assist decision-making.

"ECA Compliance includes additional reporting tools, which will mean operators are prepared for incoming ECA regulations. It also records detailed information about fuel procurement allowing the Compliance Application to produce reports to any level of detail that is required."

Jean-Hervé Jenn, CEO of Inatech, remarked: "Not only will ship operators need to comply with ECAs from 2015, they will also be required to prove compliance. This means operators need to record large amounts of data and then report on that data in order to satisfy the detail required by port authorities. ECA Compliance records, tracks, alerts and optimises vessels while they trade in and out of ECA zones, meaning operators can be sure that they are prepared for the introduction of ECAs."

Image: Shiptech's stand at the 2014 Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON).