Intertanko supports IMO GHG initiatives.

At NorShipping, tanker industry body Intertanko reinforced its support for IMO action on emissions to air, but expressed considerable concern about the EU plans to impose strict limits for sulphur emissions in advance of the IMO timetable.

In a paper submitted to the MEPC, Intertanko strongly supports the ongoing development by the IMO of regulations that would result in measurable reductions of GHG emissions from ships. Setting energy efficiency targets for new ships would help the shipping industry to fit its work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the context of the global reductions which are under discussion at the IMO, and which will be centre stage at the UN climate change summit in December in Copenhagen.

For existing ships, Iintertanko has developed its own draft ship energy management plan (SEMP) specifically for tankers, based on IMO guidelines. Operational measures being actively investigated and applied include more frequent hull/propeller cleaning, alternative coatings, better route planning, speed management.

The association says that it is a fact that tankers have become extremely energy efficient – for every litre of fuel burned in its main engine, today?s oil tanker transports its cargo twice as far as the same size ship 20 years ago. Achieving further large reductions in carbon emissions is challenging, and particularly hard at the present time.

However Intertank is concerned at the unilateral nature of Europe?s marine fuel sulphur directive, and in particular at the requirement for burning maximum 0.1% sulphur fuel at berth from January 2010 contained therein. It says that this requirement is not in line with internationally agreed rules and furthermore is a safety risk. Few ships are able to carry and use the three different grades of fuel that could be needed under this directive, and there are serious concerns over the use of MGO in boilers. Intertanko emphasises the importance of the EU fully aligning itself with international regulation agreed in IMO, and doing so sooner rather than later to avoid operational confusion/unnecessary fuel switching and safety risks.