Ships operating in the North Sea must demonstrate compliance with stringent new exhaust emission standards from 22 November 2007, with the full implementation of the North Sea SOx Emission Control Area (SECA), one year after the entry into force of related amendments to Annex VI - Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships - of the MARPOL Convention.
In a SECA, the sulphur content of fuel oil used onboard ships must not exceed 1.50% m/m. Alternatively, ships must fit an exhaust gas cleaning system.
The Baltic Sea Area has also been designated as a SOx Emission Control Area under the regulations and has been implemented and operational since 19 May 2006.
Review of Annex
VI
MARPOL Annex VI is currently undergoing a comprehensive review by the Marine
Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), through the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids
and Gases (BLG), and the review is expected to be completed in 2008.
A Cross Government/Industry Scientific Group of Experts, established by IMO
Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos in July 2007, with the endorsement of
the MEPC, is reviewing the impacts on the environment, on human health and on
the shipping and petroleum industries of applying any of the proposed fuel options
to reduce SOx and particulate matter generated by shipping and the consequential
impact on other emissions, including CO2 emissions from ships and refineries.
The final report of the Group will be completed by mid-December this year, for
submission to the MEPC and the BLG Sub-Committee.
Meanwhile, the BLG Air Pollution Working Group met in Berlin, Germany, from
29 October to 2 November 2007 to consider other matters relating to the review
of Annex VI, in particular NOx limits for new engines, possible regulation of
existing engines and introduction of control of particulate matter.
Briefing 44, 21 November 2007
For further information please contact:Lee Adamson, Head, Public Information Services on 020 7587 3153 (media@imo.org) or
Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (media@imo.org).
