China has amended its 15 year-old Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law to tackle shipping emissions for the first time, local media reports. The amendments include measures that grant legal authority for the nation's Ministry of Transport to designate key regions along the coast as Emissions Control Areas (ECAs). The advent of ECAs would have far reaching … [Read more...]
Norway Names First Shipowner to Break New ECA Rules
This article was written by ShipandBunker.com, the world’s leading free to access website focused on marine fuel, with news, exclusive features, and bunker price indications for 150+ ports. The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMD) has named the first vessel it says broke this year's updated Emissions Control Area (ECA) rules, with two infractions coming … [Read more...]
Stena Line Ferries First to Use New ‘Closed Loop’ Scrubber Technology
Two Stena Line ferries are set to become the first ships to be retrofitted with a new in-line closed loop gas scrubber systems from Wärtsilä that will help the ferries achieve emissions compliance in the North Sea. Finnish power solutions provider Wärtsilä made the announcement Tuesday that the Swedish-based Stena Line has chosen the scrubber system retrofits for the ‘Stena … [Read more...]
Low Sulphur Fuel Rules to Undermine Cheap Oil Advantages in Europe
By Libby George LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Shipping firms operating in northern Europe will not get the full benefit of plunging oil prices as they face higher fuel costs and potential insurance problems from sulphur regulations coming into force early next year. Shipping companies and industry watchers also say that moving to a low sulphur fuel that is around two thirds … [Read more...]
Shipping Execs: EPA’s Low-Sulphur Fuel Rule Will Hurt The Environment and Short Sea Shipping
Shipping industry leaders told Members of Congress on Tuesday that higher fuel costs associated with upcoming low-sulphur fuel limits in North American Emission Control Areas could actually hurt the environment and the economy by forcing the movement of goods by less environmentally-friendly means. Congressional leaders heard Tuesday from shipping industry representatives … [Read more...]
EU Sulphur Targets Costly For UK Shipping, Report Says
LONDON, March 11 (Reuters) - European Union targets to reduce sulphur emissions from the shipping sector will lead to huge costs for the British marine industry and reduce the country's competitiveness, a report by UK engineering consultancy AMEC said on Monday. Last year, EU environment ministers backed tough new limits for shipping fuel, which will be phased in across EU … [Read more...]
European Commission Ruling Gives Finnish Owners Incentive for Cleaner Ships
The European Commission has approved an initiative that gives Finnish ship owners an incentive to build and convert existing ships to the use cleaner burning fuel ahead of future regulation deadlines. Specifically, the European Commission has found amendments to an existing Finnish scheme supporting investment in cleaner ships to be in line with EU state aid rules. In … [Read more...]