U.S. deposits air pollution treaty with IMO

U.S. deposits air pollution treaty with IMO The United States became the 53rd state to ratify Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), with the deposit Friday of an instrument of ratification with the International Maritime Organization in London.
      President Bush had signed into law H.R. 802, the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008 on July 21 following Congressional approval of the treaty.
      Annex VI, which was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in May 2005, regulates the discharge of atmospheric pollutants from ships.   
Among other things, it set, for the first time, limits on sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ships’ exhausts; prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances, and puts a global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil.
      Annex VI parties may also designate areas off their coasts — called SO2 emission control areas or SECAS — where more stringent fuel controls apply. GCIL played an important role in negotiating MARPOL Annex VI, which entered into force in May 2005.
      U.S. ratification brings to 81.88 the percentage of gross world merchant shipping tonnage covered by the regulations.