EMEA News
Denmark Pushes for NOx Controls
Denmark is pushing for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission controls in the Baltic and North Seas, taking current emission control area (ECA) regulations one step further, Seatrade Global reports.
The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) came to a compromise earlier this year as it left the decision of establishing NOx emission control areas (NECA) up to local states.
"We need international shipping to deliver significant reductions not only on sulphur emissions but also NOx, this is a very high Danish priority," said Michel Schilling, deputy director of the Danish Environment Protection Agency.
When new regulations come into effect on January 1, 2015, the sulfur content on marine fuel used in ECAs cannot exceed 0.10 percent by weight, down from the current limit of 1.00 percent.
"Despite the NOx limits introduced for new ships in 2011 the NOx emissions from ships are expected to increase in the coming year," he said.
The Danish EPA said that between 2007 and 2020, NOx emissions for shipping are expected to see little to no decreases, even though land-based resources will see "large reductions".
Despite concerns from some in the industry that the level of technology needed to meet NOx emission requirements was not yet available, Schilling said that it was his "firm belief" that current technology was capable.
"To keep up the pressure on this agenda the Danish EPA, together with my Dutch colleague, wrote to our North Sea colleagues to encourage them to go ahead with the North Sea NECA. And during the MEPC meeting next week I will meet with my Baltic Sea colleagues to discuss the roadmap for the Baltic Sea," Schilling said.
Established NECAs will see increased regulations beginning in 2016.
