Tag: Finland

Minister asks for flexibility in the implementation of 0.10% sulphur cap Finland is calling for easier terms in a proposed directive aimed at reducing the sulphur content of fuels used by ships at sea, according to a report in the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.According to the report, a letter sent to the Commission asks for assurances that sufficient 0.10% fuel fuel be available by the time the directive takes effect in 2015. Environment minister Ville Niinistö is quoted as saying: "If these measures do not succeed Finland feels that the scheduling of the directive needs to be reconsidered. If the Commission raises its hands in the air, saying that it doesn't have enough time to do this in three years, then it needs to draw its own conclusions."The Finnish move reflect widespread concern among ferries and and short sea operators in the Baltic and North Sea areas who fear that even if sufficient compliant fuel is available the increased cost is likely to cause a modal shift away from sea transport.Helsingin Sanomat says that Finland's forest industry is especially worried by the prospect of increased sea transportation costs while the Confederation of Finnish Industry (EK) estimates that the directive could ...

Icebreaker assistance As of today, April 7th (8:00am - MT), there are 48 cargo ships in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland that requested icebreaker assistance, the Port Authority of Big Port St. Petersburg said.The St. Petersburg PA reports of total 66 merchant ships currently located in the water area, 18 of them - in motion.Over the past day 23 ships have reached the entrance buoy of St Petersburg port. 22 vessels are westbound from the Gulf area, 23 ships called at the port and 18 - departed. Currently, there are 61 merchant vessels and 411 local ships at the port.3 vessels are subject to ice restrictions, two of them - at the port of St. Petersburg and one - at the port of Ust-Luga.Source: Portnews