EDITORIAL COMMENT


A united stand on pollution


Europe is working together to keep our oceans clean.


B


eing environmentally aware is the current buzz among ship design- ers, ship builders, and equipment


manufacturers. Tis is not just because of trends over all industries, or a commit- ment to protecting the future, but partly due to regulations. MARPOL annex VI regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships entered into force in May 2005 and has, so far, been ratified by an impressive 49 countries. Now the International Maritime


Organization (IMO) has gone even further with its green propositions. Its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) recently approved proposed amendments to MARPOL annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships. Te main changes would see a progres-


sive reduction in sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (from the current 4.50%), effective from 1 January 2012; then progressively to 0.50%, effective from 1 January 2020. The limits applicable in Sulphur


Emission Control Areas (SECA) would be reduced to 1%, beginning on 1 March 2010 (from the current 1.50%); being further reduced to 0.10%, effective from 1 January 2015. Progressive reductions in nitrogen


oxide (NOx) emissions from marine engines were also agreed, with the most stringent controls on ‘Tier III’ engines, ie, those installed on ships constructed


Ship & Boat International May/June 2008


on or aſter 1 January 2016, operating in emission control areas. Te revised annex VI will allow for an


Emission Control Area to be designated for SOx and particulate matter, or NOx, or all three types of emissions from ships. Tis would be subject to a proposal from a party or parties to the annex which would be considered for adoption by IMO, if supported by a demonstrated need to prevent, reduce, and control one or all three of those emissions from ships. In the current annex VI, there are two SECAs designated: the Baltic Sea and the North Sea area, which also includes the English Channel. The proposed draft amendments to


annex VI and the NOx Technical Code will now be submitted to MEPC 58 (which meets in October 2008) for adoption, in accordance with an agreed timetable. Tis would see the revised annex VI enter into force in 2010. Meanwhile, protecting the delicate


ecosystem of Europe’s seas and coastal regions was also the subject of a hearing last year in the European Parliament. A commission green paper identified the threat to Europe’s coast of rising sea levels, pollution, and over fishing. Tis is not a small problem - the EU has a coastline longer than Africa, and the EU’s sea area (territorial waters of members) is larger than its land mass. The 27 countries of the EU are


surrounded by four seas and two oceans. If world temperatures continue to


increase this will bring rising sea levels - the impact of which could be serious for Europe. Ironically, emissions from ships are not covered by the Kyoto protocol on pollution. In fact, since 1990, emissions from marine transport have risen 45%. Fishing has also come under criticism,


with a representative from the World Wide Fund for Nature stating that commercial fisheries had put the whole ecosystem at risk and that ‘illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a significant threat to maritime biodiver- sity.’ One solution that was suggested was


a sort of ‘Marine Spatial Planning’, a kind of town planning for the seas. Tis approach identifies different areas and recommends which activities would be best suited for the region. It also could be used to find ‘at risk’ zones. This could have an impact on the


possible development of an anti-global warming policy of CO2 sequestering. Tis involves hiding CO2 by pumping it underground. However, this could endanger a largely unknown ecosystem. No matter what approach the EU takes,


it is widely understood that even with international cooperation, the welfare of the world’s oceans cannot be guaranteed. It is important that the debate and progress made on greenhouse gas emissions from shipping operations continues, including the search for practical means to devise any mechanisms deemed appropriate to address this issue. SBI


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