Emissions Hit
New and more stringent regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships are expected to have a significant beneficial impact on the atmospheric environment and on human health, particularly that of people living in port cities and coastal communities, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) says.
The revised Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) entered into force globally on July 1, 2010, together with important reductions in sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions in specific areas. It was adopted in October, 2008.
According to the IMO, the main changes to MARPOL Annex VI will see a progressive reduction of SOx emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (from the current 4.50%), effective from January 1, 2012, then progressively to 0.50%, effective January 1, 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018.
The revised Annex VI allows for Emission Control Areas (ECAs) to be designated for SOx and particular matter, or NOx, or all three types of emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a party or parties to the annex, which would be considered for adoption by the IMO, if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce and control one or all three of those emissions from ships.
The limits applicable in sulphur ECAs are reduced to 1.00%, beginning on July 1, 2010 (from the current 1.50%); being further reduced to 0.10%, effective from January 1, 2015. This means that ships trading in the current ECAs will have to burn fuel of lower sulphur content (or use an alternative method to reduce emissions) from July 1, 2010.
The revised annex lists two ECAs for the control of SOx, and particulate matter: the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea, which includes the English Channel.
A new North American ECA, for SOx, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter was adopted by IMO in March 2010. The regulators to implement this ECA are expected to enter into force in August 2011, with the ECA becoming effective from August 2012.
Progressive reductions in NOx emissions from marine engines also come into force, with the most stringent controls on so-called Tier III engines, i.e. those installed on ships constructed on or after January 1, 2016, operating in ECAs.
The MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships have, to date, been ratified by 59 countries, representing approximatey 84.23% of the gross tonnage of the worlds merchant shipping fleet.
Meanwhile, IMO has been addressing the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from ships, as part of IMOs contribution to the worldwide efforts to stamp climate change and global warming and good progress has already been made on related technical and operational measures, with further work being undertaken on market-based measures.
Further consideration of measures to reduce GHGs from ships will continue at the next session of IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 61), which will meet from September 27 to October 1, 2010.
Meanwhile, the IMO Council, meeting for its 104 session recently, has agreed to award the International Maritime Prize for 2009 to John Franson (Sweden), for his contribution to maritime safety, security and prevention of pollution from ships.
The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of the world shipping organization.
Franson joined the Swedish Maritime Administration as a lawyer in 1977, rising to general legal counsel and then director of maritime safety and head of the Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate, posts which he held from 1995 until 2008. He served as a deputy director general of the administration from 1999 and as director general throughout 2009.
Source:shiptalk