DNV publish new guidelines to highlight the MARPOL Annex VI regulations on air pollution from shipping
The important global dialogue of shipping pollution reduction took an official forward step this week with the publication of a new comprehensive guide that will come into force on 1st July 2010.
The guide is published by Norway’s DNV, a world leading classification society and aims to clarify the main points of the MARPOL Annex VI, which was initially approved in October 2008.
MARPOL, short for marine pollution, is one of the most important marine environmental conventions and its Annex VI is particularly concerned with prevention of air pollution from ships. MARPOL documentation states, “The rules set limits on sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ship exhausts and prohibit deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances.”
Coming in the same week as airlines pledge to halve their carbon emissions by 2050, the international transportation pollution issue is clearly part of the future-proofing agenda of many global giants keen to highlight how prepared they are.
Although it’s good to assume there is some concern over the fact that the pollution from shipping has been largely underestimated, with its contribution to climate change greater than air travel, it’s perhaps the financial implications that are harder to swallow in the cost-conscious short term, with ships that do not comply potentially detained in port.
DNV project manager Angelo Tossio explained, “The measures required to meet the new regulations affect many aspects of vessel design and operation and, managed correctly, they bring with them the opportunity for improved efficiency and reduced on-going running costs.”
The environmental impact of cargo shipping is largely down to the pollution of air and water from exhaust emissions, oil spills and discharge of cargo residue. This affects seas as well as coastal areas, with biodiversity, climate and human health also taking the brunt of the industry, thanks to sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide all creating a cocktail of chemical emissions.