EU tells shipowners to cut down on SO2

The European Union recently agreed to require owners of sea-going ships to make deep cuts in sulphur dioxide emissions starting in 2006. The requirements, to begin in 2007, will apply to international shipping entering EU ports.

EU officials called the move long overdue, saying the shipping industry was a serious source of pollution as ship fuel contains 5,000 times more sulphur dioxide than car fuel.

“The new limits … will dramatically reduce sulphur dioxide emissions in the EU, with reductions targeted to deliver the greatest possible benefits around populated ports and coasts,” said EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom. Wallstrom continued by saying that “I believe that the EU countries can and must do more internationally to improve environmental standards for ships.”

Under the plan, agreed by EU environment ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg, the EU will force ships to cut SO-2 emissions by at least two-thirds starting in 2006 in the Baltic Sea and as of 2007 in other EU seas. Officials said that means SO-2 emissions will be reduced by over 492,000 tonnes every year starting in 2007.

Only five of the 25 EU nations now meet the stricter pollution norms, i.e. Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain and Sweden.