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Environmental regulation is one the major issues facing the bunkering industry. EU Directive 2005/33/EC, which came into effect on 1 January 2010 more...
Environmental regulation is one the major issues facing the bunkering industry. EU Directive 2005/33/EC, which came into effect on 1 January 2010, prohibits ships in EU ports from taking marine fuel that exceeds a sulphur content of 0.1% by mass. On the other hand, while the SECA Agreement (Sulphur oxide Emission Control Area) has been operational in the North Sea for some time now (it was effective 22 November 2007), many in the industry complain about the low take-up rate of low sulphur fuels by shipping owners.
There is considerable uncertainty in the industry on the enforcement of this EU Directive and rumours abound about deadline extensions due to the safety issues involved in using the new fuel if the boilers on the ship have not been modified, especially inside a port.
OPS is in general agreement with the efforts of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and its Marine Environment Protection Committee to reduce harmful emissions, especially given that ocean-going vessels emissions will soon surpass land-based emissions if stricter controls are not introduced. OPS will comply with all environmental standards that are applicable in the UAE and closely monitors the regulatory environment in the EU and other jurisdictions and can advise its clients on the appropriate measures to take.