EMEA News
Denmark Plans Offensive Against ECA Noncompliance
The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) says it has presented an action plan to promote consistent enforcement of new sulfur emissions rules in European Emissions Control Areas (ECAs).
The plan calls for international cooperation, development of new technology, improved statistics and documentation of non-compliance, and sanctions against offenders.
Measures to prevent skirting of the rules could include increased fines and legal prosecution of ships even if they do not call at Danish ports.
"With the action plan, Denmark takes an important step in the struggle to ensure efficient enforcement of the sulphur regulations," said Andreas Nordseth, director general of the DMA.
"It is of decisive importance to quality shipping that our control is sufficiently efficient.
"Efficient enforcement benefits both the environment and the competitiveness of a responsible shipping industry."
The plan was written in collaboration with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Shipowners' Association.
The DMA said it expects to continue working in cooperation with those parties, and with international allies who will meet in Denmark this month.
Twelve major shipping companies recently began work on a private-sector initiative promoting strong enforcement of ECA rules called the Trident Alliance.
