EMEA News
NABU: SECA is a European Success Story, But We Sould Still Ban "Toxic" HFO
Leif Miller, CEO at Germany's Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) Wednesday hailed the North Sea and Baltic Sea Sulfur Emissions Control Area (SECA) as "a European success story" for its positive impact on vessel emissions, but nevertheless called for a ban on "toxic heavy fuel oil as quick as possible" and the installation of "exhaust clarification systems on every ship" in order to improve air quality even further.
The comments came alongside new NABU-directed analysis from CE Delft showing the "considerable decline" in air pollution in the region as a result of the January 1, 2015 introduction of the SECA's 0.10 percent sulfur cap, compared to the previous 1.0 percent limit.
"By using better fuels, sulphur dioxide concentrations have been lowered by 50 percent or more," said Miller.
"The SECA is a European success story, which sends a clear signal, to globally reinforce the standards."
The study also found no issues regarding the availability of compliant marine fuels, and thanks to plummeting oil prices, no significant price increase for using 0.10 percent bunkers either.
This muted operational impact was said to be the reason there were no reports of an intermodal shift from sea to road, as was previously feared.
Looking ahead to the anticipated 0.50 percent global sulfur cap in 2020 - which may be delayed until 2025 - NABU says the economic benefits compared to the current 3.5 percent cap would exceed the additional costs of lower sulfur fuels, and urged the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to commit to the earlier date.
"Every Euro and every Dollar that is more plugged into a cleaner navigation, people and environment will benefit up to three times. IMO must stick to the target to implement stricter limits already in four years," said NABU advisor Axel Friedrich.
In October, Ship & Bunker reported that NABU had joined the call for stricter enforcement of ECA rules among members of the EU, adding that non-compliant ship owners' chance of getting caught was "virtually zero."
