Wednesday, 04 February 2009 12:09

On October 9, 2008, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted new international standards for marine diesel engines and their fuels. Compliance is geographically-based, meaning that ships that operate in designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) will be required to use the most advanced technology-forcing engines, and the sulfur content of the fuel used in those areas cannot exceed 1,000 ppm. In all other areas of the world, including on the high seas, engine emissions will be also be reduced although not to that extent.

Congress has ratified the international agreement and the EPA had anticipated the IMO action when it wrote its engine emission regulations. According to one EPA official, “this will help reduce harmful emissions by 80 percent or more from large diesel ships, including those that are foreign-flagged operating in U.S. waters.”

Earlier in 2008, Congress had threatened to pass unilateral legislation mandating reduced emissions from ships calling on U.S. ports. OMSA testified at a hearing on the bill and urged Congress to not act on its own. Rather, OMSA asked Congress to work internationally so that all vessels operate on a level playing field. That is what has now happened with the IMO approval.