The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and INTERTANKO have issued a call for the 69thMarine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) to agree in principal than a final date for the 0.5% sulphur limit should be made during the 70th MEPC session.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) MEPC 69th and 70th sessions will be held between April 18-22 2016 and October 24 to 28, 2016, respectively.
Currently, the global sulphur limit date is set for January 1, 2020, but there is speculation that the IMO may push this further back to 2025, pending the outcome of a fuel availability review.
ICS and INTERTANKO have both voiced concerns that the industry will need as much time as possible to prepare for the global sulphur cap, including the oil industry which will need to ensure there is sufficient availability of compliant fuel. Although the limit will bring significant health and environmental benefits, the economics of shipping will be affected and hence a final decision for implementation is urged to occur sooner rather than later. In addition, the date of implementation may also affect whether or not ships are sent for early recycling.
Furthermore, ICS proposes that MEPC 69 should “develop an intended IMO determined contribution on CO2 reduction for the international shipping sector as a whole, taking account of the UNFCCC (COP 21) Paris Agreement.” ICS states that low carbon fuels are not as likely to be readily available for the maritime industry, and therefore CO2 reduction rates should consider that maritime trade may continue to rely on fossil fuels for several more decades.
