HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 13/15

Adopted 4 February 1992 having regard to Article 13, Paragraph b) of the Helsinki Convention

EARLY MEASURES TO REDUCE SULPHUR IN MARINE FUEL OILS IN THE BALTIC SEA AREA

THE COMMISSION,

NOTING HELCOM Recommendation 11/12 on reduction of air pollution from ships,

NOTING ALSO the HELCOM submission to MEPC 29 on prevention of air pollution from ships, including fuel oil qualities,

BEING AWARE that sulphur in marine fuels will result in emissions of sulphur oxides in exhausts from diesel engines, which are direct proportional to the sulphur content in the fuel oil,

BEING ALSO AWARE that emissions of sulphur oxides from ships are a serious threat to nature, cultural heritage and the population in the countries bordering the Baltic Sea,

CONVINCED that measures on a global basis should be initiated through relevant regulations issued by IMO,

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION IMO Assembly Resolution A.719(17) on prevention of air pollution from ships,

ALSO CONVINCED that early special interim measures should be taken by the Baltic Sea States in order to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area, the environment in the Baltic Sea States, as well as to contribute to the global reduction of air pollution from ships,

RECOMMENDS that the Governments of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention should take appropriate action to:

1.    Encourage both the oil industries to supply and the shipowners to use marine fuel oils with a sulphur content as low as possible, but not exceeding 1,5% by weight;

2.    Conclude bilateral agreements for ships trading in the Baltic Sea in regular traffic between the two countries involved to use only marine fuel oils with a sulphur content not exceeding 1,5% by weight, not later than 1 January 1995;

3.    Agree on the use of exhaust gas treatment systems on board ships as an alternative to Paragraph 2 which can be accepted provided that such systems and methods are proven to cause no harm to the marine environment;

4.    Establish provisions for control of compliance with Paragraphs 1 to 3 by Administrations or Port Authorities to be adopted by the Maritime Committee.