Finland pushes cleaner shipping tech

   Finland has committed to funding new, greener technologies to reduce emissions ahead of the impending regulations due in 2015.
   As part of a national action plan, the Nordic country is attempting to comply with this and other European Union directives around the Baltic shipping lanes before they take effect. The new environmental regulations are expected to cost Finnish businesses up to $750 million annually to comply.
   Merja Kyllonen, Finland’s transport minister, said emissions reduction technology will be part of the national budget discussions that start today.
   Kyllonen said the clearn air regulations have spurred investing in technologies to reduce maritime emissions in nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulates. The regulations require fuel sulfur content for ships in the Baltic Sea not to exceed 0.1 percent and ship exhaust must be cleaned to the same level.