IMO approves revised regulations for ship emissions

THE Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has approved proposed amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships.

The main changes would call for a progressive reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.5 per cent, down from the current 4.5 per cent, starting from January 2012; then progressively to .5 per cent from 2020 and a feasibility review would be carried out by 2018, a statement from the IMO said.

Limits applicable in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) would be reduced to one per cent, beginning from March 2010, down from the current 1.5 per cent; and will be further reduced to .1 per cent from January 2015.

Progressive reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from marine engines were also agreed, with the most stringent controls on Tier III engines, which will be installed on ships constructed on or after January 2016, operating in Emission Control Areas.

The revised Annex VI will allow for an Emission Control Area to be designated for SOx and particulate matter, or NOx, or all three types of emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a party to the Annex which would be considered for adoption by the IMO, if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce and control one or all three of those emissions from ships.

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos said, "The fact that representatives of some 100 governments were able to reach decisions by consensus on complicated issues of great importance to the environment not only bears testimony to the responsible manner with which the members address environmental matters nowadays, but also to the great results that can be achieved when states - with the same concerns and determination to produce meaningful solutions to global problems - work together under the auspices of IMO," he said.