Industry Needs to Redouble Its Compliance and Enforcement Commitment: SEA\LNG

SEA/LNG wants the industry to redouble its compliance and enforcement commitment. File image / Pixabay

Multi-sector LNG Bunker advocacy group SEA\LNG today called on the industry as a whole to redouble its commitment to compliance with, and enforcement of, IMO Marpol VI Regulations.


The comments come as the industry prepares for a lowering of the global sulfur cap on marine fuel to 0.50% in 2020

"While enforcement has always been a difficult issue, now is the time for all IMO members to understand the importance of this regulation and ensure that it is implemented and enforced as envisioned," the 28-member coalition said.

SEA\LNG chairman Peter Keller commented: "Shipping has made significant progress in reducing its environmental impact from harmful emissions, but more needs to be done. All parties, especially the Port State Authorities must play their part. Effective and consistent enforcement, across all jurisdictions of the IMO emissions regulations, will be essential to ensure more environmentally friendly shipping and a level playing field for all shipping companies.

"Flag states and port authorities have a clear and key responsibility in ensuring compliance. If we do not collectively commit to compliance and enforcement, then we will continue to miss a tangible and viable opportunity to eradicate harmful emissions such as Sulphur Oxide (SOx), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), and Particulate Matter (PM). This seems unacceptable given the opportunity we have readily at hand."

This is certainly not the first time the issue of 2020 enforcement has been raised; last year Trident Alliance said there was a "sea of question marks" over the enforcement of the impending 0.50 percent global sulfur cap.