EMEA News
Tallink Opts for "Most Expensive" ECA Compliance Option
Estonian ferry operator AS Tallink Grupp (Tallink) has decided against alternative methods of Emission Control Area (ECA) sulfur rule compliance, such as using scrubbers, and is choosing to use low-sulfur distillate fuel oil despite saying it is the most expensive method, Shippingwatch reports.
The company said scrubbers were also too expensive, but Vice-President Andres Hunt said that switching fuels was the more simple conversion method.
Tallnik has said that it will also simultaneously work towards reducing energy consumption .
Since January 1, 2015, the maximum sulfur content of marine fuel used in ECA's is limited to 0.10 percent by weight.
Tallink's decision diverges from that of a number of other Baltic Sea area operators, with DFDS Seaways, Scandlines, and Finnlines all having all opted for scrubbers.
Finnlines CEO Emanuele Grimaldi had also previously commented that ECAs would split companies into two tiers, with those with enough cash flow to retrofit ships to emerge as more competitive.
