Smoothing the introduction of the sulphur regs
A keynote speech at the recent Clean Shipping Conference emphasised that priorities must be set to smooth the introduction of low sulphur norms in Northern Europe to establish a fair and level playing field.
Patrick Verhoeven, secretary general of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA), said that with the January 2015 for the sulphur emission control areas (SECA) looming, there is no time to lose.
“I would make a plea for a playing field that is level but fair. It means first of all that the early adopters, those operators that completed all of the investments and are ready to meet the sulphur norms in time, are not penalised,” Mr Verhoeven said.
He asked that those who may not been entirely ready for the deadline are given a compliance path within a “limited and conditional” timeframe.
Also that financial support options be clarified along with legal certainty on applicable rules and regulations in ports be discussed at the European Commission’s European Sustainable Shipping Forum.
The Clean Shipping Conference took place as part of Baltic Transport Week held in Gdansk from 4 to 6 March 2014.
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