Air Pollution

Revised MARPOL Annex VI, NOx Tech. Code

A new publication is now available from IMO Publications on the revised international regulations on preventing and reducing harmful emissions from ships, such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. The revised MARPOL Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) and the revised NOx Technical Code 2008 were adopted by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee in October 2008, with an entry into force date of 1 July 2010. The Revised MARPOL Annex VI & NOx Technical Code 2008 (2009 Edition) is an essential publication for  maritime Administrations, classification societies, shipping companies (owners and operators), educational institutes, engine and equipment manufacturers and others with an interest in the prevention of air pollution from ships. The book includes: •    The revised MARPOL Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships), including emission limits and operational requirements •    The NOx Technical Code 2008, which is made mandatory under MARPOL Annex VI for all marine diesel engines with a power output of 130 kW or more, and provides the requirements for the testing, survey and certification of marine diesel engines •    Interim guidelines for application of the NOx Technical Code 2008 •    Standard specifications for shipboard incinerators.

Bills Introduced on Air Emissions from Ships

Senator Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Solis (D-CA) introduced the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act of 2007 in companion versions (S. 1499 and H.R. 2548 respectively) to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution from marine vessels. The bills, if enacted into law, would wholly ignore MARPOL Annex VI and impose unilateral standards for sulfur levels in marine fuels and require advanced marine vessel emission controls on new and in-use marine engines.

EPA Kicks Off Diesel Reduction Projects

At an event in Eugene recently, Michael O. Leavitt, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helped kick-off the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority’s announcement of $1.475 million in diesel emission reductions investments for Oregon. The EPA is contributing $600,000 to these efforts. The projects will fund efforts to reduce emissions from idling trucks up and down Oregon’s I-5 corridor, retrofit school buses throughout the state

SHC Meeting To Meet in Washington D.C.

The Subcommittee for the Prevention of Marine Pollution (SPMP) of the Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on February 26, 2002. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the upcoming MEPC 47 meeting of the IMO in London on March 4-8 . Items on the agenda include harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water, recycling of ships, prevention of air pollution from ships, and anti-fouling paints for ships.

EPA Adopts Strong Standards for Large Ships

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule setting tough engine and fuel standards for large U.S.- flagged ships, a major milestone in the agency’s coordinated strategy to slash harmful marine diesel emissions. “There are enormous health and environmental consequences that come from marine diesel emissions, affecting both port cities and communities hundreds of miles inland. Stronger standards will help make large ships cleaner and more efficient

$20 Million Available for Clean Diesel Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of up to $20 million in FY 2012 grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing harmful pollution from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines and improving air quality and Americans’ health. In addition to these grants, approximately $9 million will be available through direct state allocations.   EPA estimates that for every $1 spent on clean diesel funding up to $13 of public

Oilseed Fuel May Help Mop Up French Oil Spill

A biodegradable fuel, produced mostly from rapeseed, has reportedly been brought in to help fight the oil spill along France's Atlantic coast. France's pollution research center CEDRE last week gave permission for workers mopping up the spill to use a vegetable oil-based fuel called diester to help clean coastal areas still soiled from the wreck of the tanker Erika. Testing on the product on the spill began today. If the product works as planned

Practical Checklist for MARPOL Requirements

Marine Pollution Prevention Pocket Checklist, jointly published by Lloyd’s Register and the UK P&I Club, aims to help masters and owners to comply with the various Annexes of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as amended by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). This should help to reduce the risk of Port State Control (PSC) detentions. Produced by experts from Lloyd’s Register and the UK Club

WMO Chief to Address IMO Meeting

Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is scheduled to address the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it meets for its 56th session from 9 to 13 July, at the Horticultural Halls, London. Jarraud's participation in the MEPC, on the invitation of IMO Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, comes as part of a series of events focusing on environmental issues

Emsys Monitoring Technology for Emissions Regs

Hefty fines, detention and possible arrest are looming for ship owners/operators who fail to meet new ship emissions requirements. In accordance with MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Annex VI regulations, new Emissions Control Area (ECA) regulations for sea areas within 200 nautical miles from the coasts and ports of the U.S. and Canada go into effect on August 1, 2011. Even with an exemption clause that extends the regulations enforcement date to Aug