North Sea to be SOx control area

The North Sea has joined The Baltic in being designated a SOx Emission Control Area. Once MARPOL annex VI has entered into force, ships in these waters will have to use fuel with a sulphur content of 1.5% or lower.

Work continued on the phasing out of organotin based anti-fouling paint with the aim of preventing new applications after 1 January 2003 and a complete prohibition five years later. A diplomatic conference to approve the proposed instrument has been scheduled for October 22-26, 2001.

An outline of legislation on ballast water management has been drafted, although a number of issues remain outstanding including a range of standards for acceptance of control proposals. One of the biggest debates remains on how to introduce the legislation: by a new Annex to MARPOL 73/78 or a new Convention with its own conditions for entry into force.