Environmental, maritime organizations call for carriage ban on non-compliant ship fuel

A group of leading environmental and maritime shipping organizations have called for the prohibition of transporting non-compliant marine fuels once the global 0.5 percent sulfur cap takes effect in 2020.    A group of leading environmental and maritime shipping organizations have called for the prohibition of transporting non-compliant marine fuels once the global 0.5 percent sulfur cap takes effect in 2020.
   The United Nation’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) previously agreed that starting Jan. 1, 2020, the maximum sulfur content in marine fuels – outside the coastal Emission Control Areas (ECAs) – will reduce from 3.5 percent to 0.5 percent. The ECAs already require the sulfur content in marine fuels to be no more than 0.1 percent.
   “Unless a ship is using an approved equivalent compliance method, there should be no reason for it to be carrying non-compliant fuels for combustion on board,” the organizations said.
   The organizations calling for the 2020 ban on non-compliant marine fuels include BIMCO, World Shipping Council, Clean Shipping Coalition, International Chamber of Shipping, Intertanko, International Parcel Tankers Association, Cruise Lines International Association, Pacific Environment, Friends of the Earth and WWF.
   While the organizations realize the 2020 sulfur cap will increase ship operating costs, they said it’s more important for governments to enforce the cap for the sake of environmental and health benefits that will be achieved. In addition, they warned that lack of enforcement will “lead to serious market distortion and unfair competition” for those ship operators that do comply.
   The organizations will propose the carriage ban on non-compliant marine fuels at the IMO’s next meeting in February.
   Similar bans have already been requested by individual organizations, as well as the Cook Islands and Norway. The proposals specifically call for an amendment to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention), stipulating that ships should not carry fuel for propulsion with a sulfur content above 0.5 percent starting in 2020, “unless they are using an approved alternative compliance method,” the organizations said.
   Alternatives include the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered engines or the installation of approved scrubber technologies.