THE International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is seeking a harmonised approach to Port State Control (PSC) inspections before the January deadline for mandatory use of costly low-sulphur fuel in emission control areas (ECA).
With the exception of the US, all of those coastal nations that are located within the UN's sulphur ECAs in North America, the North Sea and the Baltic are party to the accord.
Next year only 0.1 per cent sulphur content emissions from ship fuel, down from the present one per cent, will be allowed in ECAs, a measure that will raise bunker bill in some cases by 50 per cent as fuel prices rise from US$600 to $900 a tonne.
The chamber, which represents 80 per cent of the world's tonnage, expressed concern that many governments were not prepared to be able to implement the requirements in a uniform manner to prevent market distortion.
"The industry is investing billions to ensure compliance and the huge costs involved could have a profound impact on the future structure of the shipping industry," said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe explained.
"It is vital governments get the details of any PSC intervention as we enter a new world in which fuel costs for many will increase overnight by 50 per cent or more" he said, reported London's Tanker Operator.
"It is vital that the Paris MOU and its member states in co-ordination with the US and the European Commission clarify all of the details of ECA implementation with respect to inspection as soon as possible," he said.
In 1982 the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) agreed to Port State Control inspections in 26 European countries and Canada. In 1978, Europe agreed audit labour conditions to which was later added safety and pollution.
ICS said it is important for the maintenance of fair competition that implementation occurs throughout the Paris MOU region in a consistent and harmonised manner," Mr Hinchliffe said.
ICS believes inspection should only involve looking at the bunker delivery note, with sampling when there are grounds to suspect non-compliance, or when there is a previous history of non-compliance with MARPOL Annex VI.
WORLD SHIPPING
28 July 2014 - 21:30
International Chamber of Shipping: Harmonise emissions enforcement
THE International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is seeking a harmonised approach to Port State Control (PSC) inspections before the January deadline for mandatory use of costly low-sulphur fuel in emission control areas (ECA).
WORLD SHIPPING
28 July 2014 - 21:30
International Chamber of Shipping: Harmonise emissions enforcement
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