Globally, there is a lot of focus on the issue of CO2, no clear answers have been put forward as to how to reduce CO2 emissions from the shipping sector.
From an IMO perspective, this is being looked into. For example, during the MEPC meeting, an agreement was made that the maritime industry will start monitoring fuel use and thereby CO2 emissions.
SOx Go Global
On the subject of sulphur oxides – more commonly known in the industry as SOx – legislation for the Baltic and North Seas in the form of Sulphur Emissions Control Areas (SECA) has been in force since January 2015, limiting the amount of sulphur in emissions to 0.1 per cent. This trend is set to continue with the global sulphur cap to be lowered.
New Rules in the marine sector
Looking back at the last couple of years, the maritime sector has witnessed some positive changes regarding certain types of ship emissions. The most notable example of this was the introduction of the Sulphur Emission Control Areas.
However, the realm of international maritime regulations is in constant development. Reflecting this are the most recent agreements made at the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting which took place at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London in October 2016.
Emissions regulations have a big impact on the maritime industry. What is coming and are the new standards workable for everybody?