Americas News
Canada Delays Implementation of ECA NOx Requirement Until 2017
The Government of Canada says it has delayed the implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standards for certain marine engines operating within its Emission Control Area (ECA) until January 1, 2017.
The decision is said to be applicable to all ships that are installing a small marine diesel engine with a power rating between 130 kW and 750 kW, and that are subject to subsection 110.3 (4) of the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations.
"In early fall of 2015, marine engine suppliers indicated that engine manufacturers based in the U.S. were not producing IMO Tier III compliant marine diesel engines under 750 kilowatts (kW) that would be available by January 1, 2016," explained Transport Canada in a statement.
The government says those vessel must still meets the IMO Tier II NOx emissions standards, or comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 3 emission standards for marine diesel engines under Title 40, section 1042.101, of the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States for Category 1 engines.
Transport Canada says that, in the interim, the organisation will examine issues of the IMO Tier III standards regarding the availability of compliant engines and current emission abatement technologies, as well as technical challenges.
"This analysis will help make informed decisions in the future, on how best to apply the IMO Tier III standards under the Regulation," said Transport Canada.
In September, Ship & Bunker reported that container carriers were accelerating newbuild orders as they raced to beat the January 1, 2016 deadline, imposing stricter NOx emission requirements on ships traveling in the North American ECA.
