Facing changes
From an industry perspective – for the shipyards and the equipment manufacturers – there will be a potential rise in demand for scrubbers. This will be an opportunity for our side of the industry. However, the questions remains whether the oil refineries will be able to cope with the increased demand of low sulphur fuelso.
In short, owners and operators throughout the industry have to comply with a variety of regulations that are laid down by regulatory bodies such as the IMO and the European Commission.
The NRMM regulation, focusing on emissions, states that new inland waterway engines have to meet its new criteria. For engines with a power output of less than 300 kilowatt, this is applicable from January 2019, and for engines with a power output greater than 300 kilowatt, from January 2020.
“There is so much uncertainty, and that is the most frustrating part for us as a sector. We are caught between a rock and a hard place.” One reason behind this uncertainty is that the European inland shipping sector is relatively small. “Not just because there are less inland shipping vessels built every year than road trucks, for example. But also because trucks are replaced every seven years. Whereas an inland shipping vessel and its engine have a very long operational life cycle.”
EBU Environmental Coordinator Jan Vogelaar
With multiple issues involved, this situation is certainly an interesting one. From now until January 2020, the CBRB and EBU will be communicating with members and suppliers to keep a close eye on future developments.