EU Directive 99/32 Amendments Text

• While the EU Legislative process has not yet completed debate and agreement as to the precise nature and wording of the new Directive, the current draft includes allows ships using approved abatement technology as an alternative to Low Sulphur fuel use while sailing in a SECA.
• In general, the requirements of the Directive and the approval process for abatement technologies mirror IMO MARPOL Annex VI
• For the full DRAFT text of the proposed Directive 1999/32, go to (document in library) or click on INDEPTH below

INDEPTH
The following texts are extracted from the latest draft of the proposed legislation, and approved by the EU Council, and may be further amended.

“Member States shall take all necessary measures to 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 shall apply to all vessels of all flags, including vessels whose journey began outside the Community.”

“Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that, from the date referred to in paragraph 2(a), marine fuels are not used in their territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones by passenger ships operating on regular services to or from any Community port if the sulphur content of those fuels exceeds 1.5% by mass. Member States shall be responsible for the enforcement of this requirement at least in respect of vessels flying their flags and vessels of all flags while in their ports.”

“With effect from 1 January 2010, Member States shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the following vessels do not use marine fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1% by mass:
(a) inland waterway vessels; and
(b) ships at berth in Community ports, allowing sufficient time for the crew to complete any necessary switch from or to other fuels as soon as possible after arrival at berth and as late as possible before departure.

Member States shall require the time of any fuel changeover operation to be recorded in ships' logbooks.” “As an alternative to using low sulphur marine fuels meeting the requirements of Articles 4a and 4b, Member States may allow ships to use an approved abatement technology, provided that these ships:
- achieve emissions reductions which are at least equivalent to those which would be achieved through the fuel sulphur limits specified in this Directive; and
- document thoroughly that any waste streams discharged into enclosed ports, harbours and estuaries have no impact on ecosystems, based on criteria communicated by authorities of port States to the International Maritime Organization.".