Tag: EU Sulphur Directive

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New Sulphur Directive improves Swedish air quality

The new EU Sulphur Directive came into force on January 1, 2015, for shipping in the English Channel, North Sea and the Baltic Sea.There has been a huge improvement in air quality in Gothenburg, Sweden due to the substantial reduction in the sulphur emission limit. Sulphur emissions from shipping fell by over 70 per cent between 2014 and 2015, with particulate matter emissions falling by 50 per cent.

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EU bunker testing for compliance with sulphur limits

The European Union has provided instructions to its Member countries on how to test bunkers. This is to ensure vessels visiting EU ports are complying with the sulphur limit regulations. Earlier this year the European Commission implemented Decision (EU) 2015/253. The Decision came into effect in March 2015. However, the main impact will be felt when the on board sampling and testing requirements come into force in January 2016.

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EMSA workshop on Emissions Abatement Methods

 EMSA held a two-day workshop on Emission Abatement Methods on 14-15 October, gathering 46 participants from 22 EU countries and one EFTA country.The workshop offered the opportunity to exchange experiences in using alternative means of compliance. The main topics addressed included: the environmental impact of EAMs; the approval process; inspections and enforcement; alternatives to Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems.Various scenarios involving ships with EAMs on board were analysed and the best course of action for competent authorities identified. EMSA’s continued support, in particular in preparing relevant guidance notes, was also encouraged. Emission Abatement Methods (EAMs) can be used as an alternative means of compliance with the Sulphur Directive, as long as they achieve reductions of sulphur dioxide emissions that are equivalent to the reductions achieved by using compliant marine fuels.The following Emissions Abatement Methods (EAMs) and alternative fuels may be considered as an alternative to using marine fuel meeting the requirements (see flowchart below):- mixtures of marine fuel and boil-off gas (BOG) (in the case of LNG carriers),- Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) (commonly known as ‘scrubbers’),- Biofuels (and mixtures of biofuels and marine fuels), or -other Alternative Fuels (e.g. LNG, Methanol).On a ship that uses an EAM to meet the requirements, ...

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NABU calls for better enforcement of SECAs

  During an expert discussion in the European Parliament NABU criticised the fact that there is virtually no surveillance scheme in place to control if ships meet the required bunker quality standards when sailing the North and Baltic Sea or the English Channel. The European Sulphur Directive (2012/33/EU) however limits the sulphur content for ship fuels as of January 1st 2015 to a maximum of 0.1% for ships operating in European waters declared as SECA in order to limit the sector's massive contribution to air pollution levels. Although there is only limited data available at the moment NABU stated that the number of ships being non-compliant are expected to be well over acceptable levels. The experts explained this view by demonstrating the economic advantage for cheaters in combination with a serious lack of enforcement when it comes to surveillance and penalties. NABU CEO Leif Miller said:"We definitely face a systematic malfunction if those market participants are the losers who run ships on cleaner fuels and according to the rules. At the moment there is a huge incentive for ship owners to be non-compliant as cheaters safe ten thousands of Euros per passage through the European SECA if they use the dirty fuel ...

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