By
Rebecca Gibson |
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has proposed bringing the date of a low sulphur fuel availability study forward from 2018, due to concerns about the shipping and petro-chemical industry needing to plan and control transition costs.
Speaking at an emissions meeting on 10 September at London International Shipping Week, IMO secretary-general Koji Sekimizu and UK shipping minister Stephen Hammond highlighted the importance of confirming the dates of the review.
The IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI, which sets limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts, stipulates that the availability of low sulphur fuel must be reviewed by 2018.
“IMO set a goal for sulphur regulations in 2008 and the current global target is set for 2020 so it is important to act now to have a clear picture on the availability of the required quantity of the low sulphur fuel as soon as possible,” said Sekimizu. “There is nothing to say the review cannot be completed earlier than 2018. Indeed, there is a strong argument that early completion of the review of the availability of low sulphur fuel will give more time for all concerned, including the refinery industry, to take the necessary action and react in time to meet the requirements.”
According to Hammond, the UK has proposed January 2015 as the earliest realistic start date of the review. He also indicated that the UK plans to submit a whitepaper regarding the review to the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee next spring.
Several shipping associations have welcomed the news, including the UK Chamber of Shipping.
“The UK Chamber welcomes the proposal to bring forward the start date of the IMO’s fuel availability study,” said David Balston, director of safety and environment at the UK Chamber of Shipping. “We are greatly concerned about the impact for shipping operating in the emission control areas, for which targets to reduce sulphur are set for 2015. The latest research shows that attempts to reach the 2015 target could cause adverse environmental effects with a modal shift from sea to road, resulting in a loss of 2,000 maritime services jobs and placing many more industrial jobs under threat.”