Restricted operations

摘要

Owners of vessels operating in a singular region or body of water (such as between the UK and Ireland, or the Baltic countries) also saw progress at MEPC 67 with their plea to be excused from installing treatment systems. The IMO has agreed to form a committee to look into the matter including how appropriate operators can obtain an exemption certificate - which many are choosing to view as a tacit agreement to this argument. "This is a very welcome step in the light of mounting concerns by shortsea operators in general and ferry operators in particular," said Johan Roos, director of regulatory affairs at Interferry, which joined hands with the Danish flag state for the proposal. Arguing that fitting such equipment would be meaningless and energy-consuming, he said: "We recognise the need to act on the movement of invasive species between geographical areas where natural spread does not occur, but in our view there is no added value to the environment by destroying organisms that may spread naturally."