The German Maritime LNG Platform announced that it signed the Arctic Commitment, joining a diverse group of international companies, organisations, politicians and polar explorers calling for a ban on heavy fuel oil (HFO) use in Arctic shipping.
Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, noted that the Platform’s support comes at a crucial time for the movement and suggested that, ahead of the coming meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in July, it is time for companies and governments to support decisive action to clean up Arctic shipping. This action includes switching to less-polluting alternatives to HFO, such as LNG, to support a sustainable future in shipping, she explained.
Tessa Rodewaldt, Managing Director of the Platform, underlined that shipping needs to become more sustainable, specifically in the Arctic region, which is particularly fragile, confirming the idea that sustainability could be achieved with use of LNG.
“We’re delighted to support the Arctic Commitment and throw our weight behind the international campaign to ban the use of HFO as a shipping fuel in the Arctic region”, she said.
- The Clean Arctic Alliance is an international coalition of non-governmental groups campaigning for an International Maritime Organization (IMO) ban on HFO from Arctic shipping.
- The German Maritime LNG Platform is an interest coalition of nearly 100 members and partners from the maritime sector both in Germany and abroad. Its objective is the establishment of a cleaner and more sustainable shipping sector through the use of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) to substantially reduce pollutant emissions, such as SOx, NOx, CO2 and particulate matter (PM).
