The Directive on cleaner fuel for shipping is based on the standards developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It primarily focuses on reducing the maximum sulphur content of marine fuels from the current 3.5% to 0.5% by January 2020. In some very fragile ecosystems such as the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, including the English Channel, the maximum sulphur content must be reduced to 0.1% by as early as 2015. These regulations will go a long way in reducing the air pollution thereby increasing the air quality in many European cities. According to the Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, “Improving air-quality is a long-standing environmental challenge. It has taken time but now the maritime sector is engaged. The big winners are the European citizens who will breathe cleaner air and enjoy a healthier life and industry supplying clean fuels and technology”. Commenting on the new regulations, European Commission Vice-President, Siim Kallas observed: “Europe is now on track to implement the commitments unanimously taken by its Member States in the IMO back in 2008. We are also aware of the compliance costs affecting the industry which we are seeking to minimize through the framework of the “Sustainable Waterborne Transport Toolbox” presented in September 2011”. As an alternative to low sulphur fuel, ships can opt for exhaust gas cleaning system or LNG powered ships; they are equivalent to the other compliance methods.Current EU transport funding instruments such as TEN-T and Marco Polo Programmes along with European Investment Bank provide financial assistance to green maritime-based projects.
From 2015 onwards, the Member States must ensure that the ships use fuels with a sulphur content of not more than 0.10% in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea including the English Channel. From 2020 onwards, ships operating on all the other European seas must use fuels with sulphur content below 0.50%.
All good things come to those who wait. Health is a good thing worth waiting for.
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