Review of EU Directive Regarding Sulphur Content in Marine Fuels

The Ports of Hamburg, Antwerp and Rotterdam expressed their satisfaction with the European Parliament resolution to transpose international legislation regarding sulphur content in marine fuels into European legislation.

This fits within the objectives of the three largest European ports to improve the air quality in Europe, make transport more sustainable and create a ‘level playing field’ for all European ports.

The voting result of the Environment Committee concerns among others the permitted sulphur content in marine fuels (see table below) and seeks to declare that stricter sulphur standards should be applicable also outside the already existing Sulphur Emission Control Area’s (North Sea, Baltic and the South and East Coasts of the United Kingdom). In addition to the SECA areas, from 2015 a general sulphur standard of 0.1% sulphur content in marine fuels will apply to the ’12-mile-zone’ along all coasts in the European Union. In 2015 and 2020 0.5% respectively 0.1% sulphur content in marine fuels will apply in the Exclusive Economic Zones and Pollution Control Areas of all European waters. Hamburg, Antwerp and Rotterdam support the principle that new SECA’s are to be established by the International Maritime Organisation. The result of the vote in the Environment Committee in the European Parliament is an important step in this direction.

Scrubbers and other alternative techniques

In line with stimulating alternative techniques, the European Parliament Environmental Committee has adopted an amendment that allows the use of more than 3.5% sulphur content in marine fuels in combination with closed alternative techniques (scrubbers). The ban to place high-sulphur fuels onto the European market was dropped with this. The three ports emphasise that the sector needs supporting measures in order to realise the necessary investments in alternative techniques. That is why they applaud the amendments, which provide for financial, economic and fiscal support and point to the importance of realistic, achievable measures. The three ports therefore call on the European Commission to come forward with concrete proposals to these supporting measures on a short notice.

Balanced approach

The three ports are also satisfied that the stricter standards are linked to a number of provisions that ensure the feasibility. For example, an extensive research to the impact of the new standards by the European Commission is imposed, with specific regard to a possible modal backshift. A “fuel availability clause” will also be included for ships that are unable to acquire low-sulphur fuel despite having done all reasonable efforts.

Time schedule

On 15 July 2011 the European Commission published a proposal for reviewing sulphur content in marine fuels. The political process is now in full flow and the European Parliament Environment Committee has voted on amendments to the Commission Proposal. The European Parliament will vote in plenary session, probably on 21 May. Currently the Council of Ministers is discussing the European Commission proposal and the adopted amendments from the European Parliament Environment Committee. The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers need to reach common agreement regarding the definitive proposal, with the aim being to have the proposal accepted under the Danish Presidency, thus prior to 1 July 2012. The Ports of Hamburg, Antwerp and Rotterdam are calling on the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers to endorse the current European Parliament Environmental Committee voting results.

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Source: Port of Rotterdam, March 14, 2012