Danes want strict ECA sulphur enforcement

Following on from previously reported comments from a J. Lauritzen company, DSA deputy director-general Jan Fritz Hansen told The Motorship that the maritime industry has come under considerable pressure from governmental bodies to address and environmental challenges, and it has responded in a positive way, probably more so than any other industrial sector. This has to be followed up by positive action by the regulatory bodies and flag states to ensure compliance with the regulations by all concerned.

Mr Hansen pointed out that his members have undertaken to take appropriate steps to limit their sulphur emissions in line with the 0.1% limit in ECAs which comes into force next year. But a less responsible shipowner, by continuing to burn HFO, could potentially save US$200,000 or more on a single trip from, for example, the Baltic to Rotterdam, a saving far in excess of the maximum penalty for non-compliance with the limits. And the chances are that the offenders will not be picked up, because of the lack of enforcement policies. “The decision makers have not understood the consequences of what they have done,” he said.

He added that there is a real danger that compliant operators will be forced out of business, leaving only those operating ‘under the radar’, with the end result that pollution will increase rather than decrease. Appaently several DSA member companies have reported losing out to foreign competition undercutting the true market rates for post-January 2015 contracts.

International Chamber of Shipping secretary-general Peter Hinchliffe agreed. He said that the ICS has a study under way into how the various national administrations in ECAs intend to enforce the limits, and what their policies will be. None, to date, seem to have a clear solution other than the US Coast Guard, which will enforce the limits.