EC proposes changes to Sulphur Directive
Amendments to the Sulphur Directive to bring it in line with MARPOL Annex VI The European Commission has put forward a proposal for amendments to the Sulphur Directive to bring it in line with MARPOL Annex VI as agreed in 2008. The proposals however go further than MARPOL and to that extent are being opposed by the European Communities Shipowners Association (ECSA).An ECSA statement says: During the consultation period prior to the adoption by the Commission, ECSA stressed that no new elements going beyond MARPOL Annex VI should be included. Regretfully the draft proposal includes a new requirement of 0.1% sulphur limit in 2020 for passenger ships in non-ECA areas.ECSA also complains that the fuel availability clause in MARPOL Annex VI on the protection afforded in the event of non-availability of compliant fuel has not been incorporated in the proposal.In addition ECSA notes: The by now well known problem with the application of 0.1% sulphur content in the three ECAs (Baltic, North Sea, English Channel) has not been taken into account. European shipowners fear a modal shift from sea to land.The proposal is now going through the process of discussions with EU member states and the European Parliament and ECSA ...
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