Americas News
USCG, EPA "Stepping Up" Compliance Efforts for New 2015 ECA Rules
With the sulfur content limit of marine fuel used in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) set to drop next year, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say they will be stepping up measures to enforce compliance with new rules.
USCG says it will continue to check Bunker Delivery Notes (BDNs) and other records, and along with the EPA are developing plans for joint boardings of vessels that will include fuel oil sampling and in-the-field screening for sulfur levels.
"Working closely with our partners at the Coast Guard, we're stepping up our compliance efforts and will take targeted enforcement actions when necessary," said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
"Making sure that everyone plays by the rules will help level the playing field for companies that comply, while reducing harmful air pollution in coastal and inland communities."
The new rules, which come into force from January 1, 2015, will see the allowable sulfur limit for marine fuel reduce from 1.0 percent by weight to 0.10 percent.
Alternative methods of compliance, such as the use of scrubbers, will be allowed so long as they result in equivalent sulfur dioxide emissions.
It has been suggested by some industry players, including Danish shipowner Lauritzen Kosan, that lax enforcement and low penalties could lead to widespread and deliberate non-compliance, as it would be less than the cost of compliance.
BIMCO this week called for "robust" enforcement within ECAs in order that shippers operate on a level playing field.
