THE UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters, Reuters reports.
Antarctic waters are protected by stringent regulations, including a ban on heavy oil fuel that was adopted in 2011, even though no cargo moves through the turbulent southern waters. For the Arctic, the rules have been looser.
But environmental lobbies said Arctic regulations contain loopholes which will allow many vessels to keep sailing without enough regulatory control.
A complete ban would only come into effect in mid-2029, which campaigners of the Clean Arctic Alliance said would amount to 'endorsing continued Arctic pollution.'
Standard bunker produces higher emissions, including sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxides and black carbon as well as risk serious oil spills with greater impact on Arctic ecosystems.
'Black carbon in the Arctic was to be discussed at a recent meeting, but has been deferred to MEPC 77, more time lost, more damage done,' said Mellisa Maktuayaq Johnson, of Pacific Environment eco lobby.
'None of the actions set forth by the IMO will provide any relief to the Arctic this decade, and without help this decade, the Arctic may be lost,' she said.
SeaNews Turkey
Antarctic waters are protected by stringent regulations, including a ban on heavy oil fuel that was adopted in 2011, even though no cargo moves through the turbulent southern waters. For the Arctic, the rules have been looser.
But environmental lobbies said Arctic regulations contain loopholes which will allow many vessels to keep sailing without enough regulatory control.
A complete ban would only come into effect in mid-2029, which campaigners of the Clean Arctic Alliance said would amount to 'endorsing continued Arctic pollution.'
Standard bunker produces higher emissions, including sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxides and black carbon as well as risk serious oil spills with greater impact on Arctic ecosystems.
'Black carbon in the Arctic was to be discussed at a recent meeting, but has been deferred to MEPC 77, more time lost, more damage done,' said Mellisa Maktuayaq Johnson, of Pacific Environment eco lobby.
'None of the actions set forth by the IMO will provide any relief to the Arctic this decade, and without help this decade, the Arctic may be lost,' she said.
SeaNews Turkey