EMEA News
Swedish Government Orders Study on NOx ECA Impacts
The Swedish Government says it will investigate the impacts that a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission control area (ECA), or NECA, in the Baltic and North Seas will have on Swedish industry, Green4Sea reports.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, countries of both Baltic Sea and North Sea areas said they would put forth parallel applications for a NECA to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by July 1, 2016.
The Swedish government says the investigation will be conducted by Transport Analysis in consultation with the Swedish Transport Agency, and will focus on business competitiveness with both the shipping sector and general industry.
The study is also expected to include consideration of previous analyses on NECA health, climate, and environmental effects.
Anna Johansson, Minister for Infrastructure, says that, while the government believes that Swedish shipping has considerable potential to grow its share of freight transport, it is also crucial that shipping companies reduce their emissions support the transformation of the sector.
In June, after having submitted its application as agreed to at its Heads of Delegation meeting in Laulasmaa, Estonia, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) said the final decision on the implementation of a NECA, in the Baltic Sea now lies with IMO.
