Brussels, 29/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European directive to reduce emissions of sulphur particles from ships (updated in the 93/12/ EC directive) and include International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards on fuel used at sea has been adopted in a first reading. The Council of the EU moved to a formal adoption on Monday 29 October, without a debate.
Last September, the European Parliament approved the temporary agreement reached with the Council (see EUROPE 10686), which has helped to facilitate this progress.
Under this agreement, maximum sulphur content in marine fuel used in designated Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) (the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel) will be reduced by 1.5%, to 1% until 31 December 2014 and 0.1% as from 1 January 2015, although in other European waters the international value limit is 3.5% and will apply until 2020 (the IMO, however, envisages a possible postponement until 2025). A general cap does not allow the use of marine fuels with a sulphur content of more than 3.5 % by mass within member states territory, with the exception of fuels used by vessels with alternative exhaust gas cleaning systems, the so-called scrubbers, operating in closed mode. Member states should endeavour to ensure the availability of the required marine fuels as stipulated in these provisions. State aid can be granted to avoid there being a negative impact on competitiveness in the sector due to investment needed to meet the new requirements.
Air pollution in Europe caused by ships is responsible for 50,000 deaths a year and creates acid rain that destroys ecosystems. (AN/transl.fl)