Air pollution: strategy to reduce atmospheric emissions from seagoing ships

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Caroline Lucas (Greens/EFA, UK) on reducing atmospheric emissions from ships. (Please see the summary dated 04/11/03). As well as recommendations on sulphar and Nox emissions, Parliament stated the following: - the Commission should make proposals for regulating VOC emissions from ship-loading before June 2005; - it should also present, before the end of 2004, proposals for EU-wide economic instruments aimed at reducing atmospheric emissions from ships; - whilst the Commission urged the international bunker industry to make available significant quantities of 1.5% sulphur marine heavy fuel oils in states bordering SOx emission control areas, this request should be extended so as to also meet the demand for marine fuels with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%, in all Community sea areas; - a report describing successful examples of voluntary speed reductions and incentives and ships' use of land-based electricity or of clean power produced on-board while in port would facilitate these measures; - only five Member States (Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Germany and Spain) have ratified Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, and it has not yet received the sufficient number of country ratifications needed to enter into force; - Member States should make submissions to the IMO as soon as Annex VI of the Convention enters into force, proposing higher global NOx standards for new marine engines which are more in line with the best available technology, and considering the introduction of NOx standards for existing vessels.�