ESPO responds to sulphur limits

There are fears that the 0.1% sulphur limit in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel, may be unattainable. The concerns raised include that the IMO’s expectation may be too greater challenge in terms of economic impact, reduced shipping activity, modal back shift and shortage of fuel.

ESPO said in a statement: “Whilst ESPO is not seeking to reverse the decision taken at IMO, it does call upon EU policy makers to ensure that the amendment to Directive 1999/32/EC does not go beyond what was agreed in MARPOL Annex VI and to urgently devise a more ambitious programme of accompanying measures that will allow the sector to meet the MARPOL requirements within the required deadline”.

Another concern is over the new requirement for all driver-accompanied freight and passenger ships operating in EU waters to operate as if in ECAs. ESPO worry that this is effectively creating new ECAs by stealth – and could ultimately encourage a modal shift from sea to land.