Bellona said that the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) calls for a ban on the use of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), joining the team of international organisations who want to ban heavy oil in the vulnerable waters around Arctic region.
NSA announced that they will support the topic during the IMO MEPC 71 meeting, July 3-7, where it will be discussed following a proposal submitted by the Norway together with Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. Although the countries do not expect a formal decision to be made, they agree that it is important that their proposal has been put on IMO agenda.
Bellona congratulates NSA for pushing towards a ban of heavy fuel as its use in Arctic can result in catastrophic consequences for this fragile environment. HFO use in Arctic shipping increases the risk of faster ice melting due to the large CO2 emissions and also the risk for an accident involving the leakage of a spill which will be disastrous for the local ecosystems.
Bellona posted a related twitter supporting NSA’s move.
Norwegian Shipowners’ Association stated today a support for banning of the use of heavy fuel #oil in #Arctic waters! #shipping #pollution pic.twitter.com/2CQ55bO4AJ
— Bellona Europa (@Bellona_EU) June 29, 2017
