Sulphur content of marine fuels

The European Parliament adopted a resolution by 498 in favour, 1 against and 10 abstentions approving a directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels with a relatively large number of amendments. The resolution was based on the draft by Alexander de ROO (Greens/EFA, NL.) The main amendments are as follows: - in the first phase Member States bordering SOx Emission Control Areas must ensure that marine fuels are not used in the areas of their territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones falling within SOx Emission Control Areas if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 1.5% by mass. This applies to all vessels of all flags, including vessels whose journey outside the Community, from 6 months after the entry into force of the Directive; - in the second phase Member States bordering Sox Emission Control Areas must ensure that from 31 December 2008 marine fuels are not used in the areas of their territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones falling within SOx Emission Control Areas if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 0.5% by mass. This applies to all vessels of all flags; - Member States must ensure that from 31 December 2008, passenger ships operating on regular services to or from any Community port do not use marine fuels if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 0.5% by mass. This applies to vessels of all flags; - Member States must ensure that from 31 December 2010, marine fuels are not used in the areas of their territorial seas and exclusive economic zones outside SOx Emission Control Areas if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 1.5% by mass. This applies to all vessels of all flags, including vessels whose journey began outside the Community; - from 31 December 2012 marine fuels must not be used in Member States' territorial seas and exclusive economic zones outside Sox Emission Control Areas if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 0.5% by mass. This applies to all vessels of all flags, including vessels whose journey began outside the Community. - Member States must ensure that from 31 December 2008 marine fuels containing no more than 0.5% sulphur by mass are made available in sufficient quantities to meet demand in all Community ports; - there are new provisions for pilot trials for new abatement technologies; - sulphur sampling will begin from the date on which the relevant limits come into force. As a minimum, 50% of the samples taken will be inspected; - Member States must lay down effective penalties applicable to infringements of the monitoring and sampling provisions; - on the basis of the results of pilot trials and other studies carried out, the Commission will, not later than 31 December 2007, submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council with proposals to revise this Directive. This may include proposals for economic instruments - including mechanisms such as differentiated dues and kilometre charges, tradable emission permits and offsetting.�