Ferry Services "Under Real Threat" from 2015 Sulfur Rules

Interferry warned that operators might fold if expenses rise suddenly in 2015

Interferry, along with fellow shipping industry groups European Community Shipowners Associations (ECSA), Cruise Lines International Association - Europe (CLIA Europe), and the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), issued a joint emailed statement today calling for the European Union (EU) to help the industry comply with upcoming rules that lower the permissible sulfur content of marine fuel.

The new limit specifying a 0.10 percent maximum sulfur content by weight for bunker fuel used in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) takes effect in 2015.

With the new European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) holding its first meeting Wednesday, the industry group said the forum should provide a platform for the discussion of interim measures and specific regional needs as the rules are implemented.

Johan Roos, Interferry's executive director for EU and IMO affairs, said the group supports improvements to the industry's sustainability but warned that extra financial pressure could threaten ferry operators' survival if they do not receive support in adjusting to the new rules.

"The EU authorities need to understand without delay that ferry services are under real threat from the 2015 timescale, and that safeguarding continued ferry services today is a much better proposition than trying to take corrective actions when the services are gone," he said.

Interferry, which had argued that the IMO's initial Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements should be modified with sector-specific rules for ro-ro and ro-pax vessels, announced in October that the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee was supporting that position.