IMO moves to toughen up ship air pollution curbs

2481, 11/02/08

International maritime organisation (IMO) officials finalised a set proposals to tighten air pollution rules for international shipping at a meeting in London last week. The changes will be put to the body's marine environment protection committee (MEPC) in the first week of April, and rubber-stamped in October (EED 06/02/08 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/24782). The IMO's sub-committee on bulk liquids and gases narrowed down six different proposals to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions to three options, which the IMO stresses could all still be modified by MEPC (EED 23/04/07 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/23063).

The options are to: significantly tighten the current global cap on sulphur content in fuel; to maintain the current global cap but significantly tighten limits in designated emission control areas (Secas); or to moderately lower both the global cap and Seca limits. The last option would also introduce "micro-emission control areas" with even stricter controls than in Secas.

The first option envisages a 0.5 per cent fuel sulphur cap worldwide from 2015. The second foresees a 0.1 per cent cap in Secas from 2012. The third suggests a global cap of 3 per cent from 2012, a Seca cap of 0.5 per cent from 2015 and micro-emission control areas with a 0.1 per cent standard.

All options would require "significant changes" in fuel refinery output across the world, the IMO acknowledges. It does not explicitly back either a global switch to low-sulphur marine diesel or scrubbers to meet the new sulphur limits (EED 21/11/06 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/22093). The committee has decided not to recommend emission trading to reduce SOx emissions (EED 17/10/06 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/21861).

The committee proposes a three-tier system to cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from new engines, with tougher goals than in previous incarnations (EED 23/04/07 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/23063). Emissions would be cut by between 16 and 22 per cent by 2011 relative to 2000, and by 80 per cent by 2016. The longer-term limit would only apply in specially designated areas, however.

There was no agreement on proposed NOx standards for existing engines because of "insufficient information and studies" to inform the decision, reports the IMO.

The recommendations are based on an independent study completed in December that evaluates options for reducing emissions of SOx, NOx, particulate matter and carbon dioxide.

Follow-up: IMO http://www.imo.org/, tel: +44 20 7735 7611 (press release to appear soon on homepage), plus independent study http://www.endseuropedaily.com/docs/80211a.doc with correction http://www.endseuropedaily.com/docs/80211b.doc.

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