Fuel Quality Debates at IMO
Marpol Annex VI marked the beginning of concrete measures to address concerns relating to emissions caused by shipping.
The International Maritime Organisation has since then welcomed further proposals from various stakeholders to further improve on pollution levels and keep the debate afresh.
During its regular sessions, the group has been reviewing a number of alternative or additional solutions to expand on the current measures.
The latest proposals on the table are:
Option 1: Global Approach
The sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships shall not exceed:
(i) 4.50% m/m;
(ii) 1.00% m/m on or after 1 Jan 2012
(iii) 0.50% m/m on or after 1 Jan 2015
With current Emission Control Areas being retained as they are with 1.50% at least until the global cap is not reduced below this level (so, potentially 2012)
Option 2: Change to Emission Control Area
The sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships shall not exceed 4.50% m/m, with exception of the Emission Control Areas where current maximum is 1.50%, to be lowered to 0.10% m/m on or after 1 Jan 2012
Option 3: Emission Control Area/Micro-Emission Control Areas/Global Cap
The sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships shall not exceed:
(i) 4.50% m/m;
(ii) 3% m/m on or after 1 Jan 2012
With exception within the Emission Control Areas and Micro-Emission Control Areas, as follows:
Emission Control Areas
(i) 1.50% m/m;
(ii) 1.00% m/m on or after 1 Jan 2010
(iii) 0.50% m/m on or after 1 Jan 2015
Micro-Emission Control Areas (no more than 24 nautical miles from shore) 0.10% m/m
All of the above dates as laid out during the recent BLG12 meeting, have been left open to full review for the Maritime Environment Protection Committee.