Emissions consensus takes IMO critics by suprise

摘要

A greement was reached at the International Maritime Organizations Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) last month to amend MARPOL Annex VI regulations and reduce harmful emissions from ships. The significant changes, agreed by consensus after some had preferred to imagine intractable controversy, will see a progressive reduction in sulphur oxide (SO_X) emissions from ships, with the global sulphur cap reduced initially to 3.5% (from the current 4.5%), effective from 1 January 2012; then progressively to 0.5%, effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018. The limits applicable in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) will be reduced to 1%, beginning on 1 March 2010 (from the current 1.5%); being further reduced to 0.1 %, effective from 1 January 2015.