Trident Alliance gains steam on emission compliance

More companies have joined the ocean carrier consortium promoting strict enforcement of new vessel-emission regime.    Membership in the Trident Alliance, an initiative by ocean shipping companies seeking to ensure effective and consistent enforcement of international sulfur emissions regulations, has more than doubled to 31 since its genesis in May.
   Fourteen ocean carriers recently signed commitments to comply with the new stricter regulations and help raise awareness among governments about the need for strong oversight, according to a news release from the group. On Jan. 1, new International Maritime Organization regulations lowering sulfur levels in fuel consumed in designated areas will drop to 1,000 parts per million, or 0.1 percent from the current 10,000 ppm, or 1 percent. The so-called Emission Control Areas cover waters up to 200 miles off the coast of North America, as well as the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Caribbean.
   Low-sulfur fuels are as much as 50-percent more expensive than regular bunker fuel, which has plummeted in price, in concert with crude oil markets, to about $450 per metric ton from about $600 per ton in September and $650 per ton earlier in the year. Fuel is the single largest operating cost for vessel operators. The Trident Alliance is worried that many companies will try to evade the rules to save money and then gain a competitive advantage over companies that comply. The majority of carriers are expected to comply by purchasing marine gas oil.
   The alliance is participating in industry conferences and working groups, meeting with regulators and conducting media outreach spread the word about potential shortcomings in enforcement practices. The alliance is scheduled to make a presentation on reducing ship pollution at a European Parliament meeting in Brussels on Dec. 11.
   The new Trident Alliance members, which represent Chile, Greece, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Belgium, are:

• Hapag-Lloyd
• DFDS
• Ionic Shipping
• Euro Marine Logistics
• Marinvest
• Grieg Star
• Wijnne Barends
• Seatrade
• Spliethoff
• Transfennica
• Biglift
• Ultrabulk
• Ultragas
• Ultratank

   “We are just a few weeks away from what will be a sea-change in the regulatory landscape for shipping,” Trident Alliance Chairman Roger Strevens said in a statement. “It is reassuring to witness that so many companies want to make sure the new regulations are implemented in a way that ensures the intended environmental benefits as well as a level playing field.”
    The Trident Alliance expressed satisfaction so far with the joint enforcement plan of the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency. In a recent blog post on its website, the Coast Guard said it will continue to check Bunker Delivery Notes and other records during port visits. The Coast Guard and EPA are also developing plans for joint boardings of vessels to take fuel samples and screen for sulfur levels in the air. 
   “Working closely with our partners at the Coast Guard, we’re stepping up our compliance efforts and will take targeted enforcement actions when necessary,” Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said. “Making sure that everyone plays by the rules will help level the playing field for companies that comply, while reducing harmful air pollution in coastal and inland communities.”
   (Read more about the new emission-control regulations and how they will affect the maritime industry in the July feature story, “Going after dirty cheaters.”)