ECSA Joins Call for "Level Playing Field" in Enforcement of Global 0.5% Sulfur Cap on Bunkers

ECSA has joined the call for IMO to ensure a "level playing field" upon enforcement of a global 0.5% sulfur cap.

Following news that the 70th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) last week agreed to implement a global 0.5 percent cap on sulfur content in marine fuel from 2020, the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) has joined the call for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure a "level playing field" when the new rules come into effect.

"It is good news that IMO took a decision on the global deadline as shipowners need certainty. Year 2020 is tomorrow however, so we have to speed up work on implementation. In particular, we have to ensure that there is quality fuel available everywhere in the world and that adequate enforcement measures are in place to ensure a global level playing field," said Patrick Verhoeven, ECSA Secretary General.

ECSA also welcomed news that MEPC 70 agreed to develop a Road Map for addressing CO2 emissions from international shipping, with initial CO2 reduction commitments to be agreed to by 2018 and a GHG data collection system in place as of 2019. 

"These important decisions demonstrate the global leadership of IMO on regulation of ship emissions," said Verhoeven, adding: "the mandatory GHG data collection system will make it possible to define what will be the contribution of international shipping to the climate goals set by COP21 in Paris last year."

"The adoption of an initial strategy to meet the Paris targets is already planned for 2018 and an agreement on targets and measures, including an implementation plan, will come about in 2023 once real time data have been analysed."

Verhoeven says the agreement reached among IMO member states that further emission reduction measures should begin alongside the data collection and analysis process is important to ensure no time is lost.

As Ship & Bunker previously reported, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has also welcomed MEPC 70's decision to develop a Road Map for addressing CO2 emissions from international shipping.