IBIA backs multiple solutions for cleaner emissions

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) says that moves to further tighten air emission controls on shipping through changes to IMO?s Marpol Annex VI must be based on a multiple solution approach.

Speaking at IBIA?s annual convention, held in Monaco, Ian Adams, secretary-general of IBIA, said: “The international community wants to see a further reduction in sulphur and other air emissions from ships. We support that, but we cannot support simplistic one-stop solutions to the problem. The bunker industry, both users and providers, believes that a combination of low sulphur heavy fuel oil, distillate fuels, alternative fuels and emission abatement equipment such as scrubbers will together give the shipping industry the means to cut emissions without compromising the safety and efficiency of global shipping.”

Adams was speaking out in response to calls from one owners? body, Intertanko, for all shipping to move to burning distillate fuels only. “It sounds so simple,” says Adams. “But in practice it would be very difficult to implement and could compromise both safety and efficiency. We believe that with sensible regulation and by applying the multiple solutions available the industry can reach the same low level of emissions with less disruption. We note that the ICS backs the same multi-stream approach and we shall certainly be putting this view strongly at IMO, where we have consultative status.”

“IBIA has always been a forum for debate and encouraged open dialogue, so we welcome Intertanko?s ideas, but we cannot endorse them. IBIA is the voice of the bunker industry, both globally and at IMO, and we believe it is important to emphasise that there is more than one way to reduce emissions, and a multiple approach will allow the industry to adopt the best techniques for their individual circumstances. What we do want to see is uniform regulation, with all SECA?s having similar caps, so that ships do not have to carry multiple grades of fuel. But beyond that we are confident that the supply industry will respond by making low sulphur heavy fuel oil available in sufficient quantities, and that abatement technology will also advance so that emissions can be reduced for owners who need or wish to retain the option of burning heavy fuel with a higher sulphur content.”