As from 1 January 2015, a change to Annex VI of the Marpol convention regulating the sulphur content of bunker fuel requires a drastic reduction in sulphur emissions from all vessels operating in the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), which covers the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel.  Ships operating in these areas must use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1 % where now 1% is the limit, or adapt alternative solutions that achieve an equivalent effect.

Shipping lines and ferry companies are currently working on several solutions including:-
• Changing to cleaner (and much more expensive) diesel with lower sulphur content (0.1%)
• Installation of purification systems “scrubbers” on the ship’s exhausts
• Investing in new vessels running on alternative fuels such as LNG or Methanol

Unfortunately these changes will cause an increase in costs which will be passed by the shipping companies to all international transport operators however at this stage we do not know the exact extent of the increase.

We understand that cost increases are never welcome and we shall take every effort to minimise the impact to our customers.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team.

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