First Cruise Company Fined under Australia’s New Fuel Rules
Australia’s NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Carnival PLC $15,000 after one of its P&O Cruises ships, the Pacific Jewel, breached new low sulfur fuel regulations in Sydney Harbour. A fuel sample taken by the ship’s crew and provided to EPA officers while the ship was berthed at the White Bay Cruise Terminal on February 26, 2016 had a sulfur level of 0.293 percent, nearly three times the 0.1 percent sulfur limit. The fine is the first to be issued under the new regulations which came into force from October 1, 2015.
Sydney Harbor Imposes Sulphur Cap for Cruise Ships
From 1 October, a new regulatory amendment will come into effect which requires cruise ships calling to use low sulphur fuel (01% of less) while berthed in Sydney Harbor. A second stage of the amended regulation, which will require the use of low sulphur fuel (0.1% or less) while in Sydney Harbour (including while berthed) will come into effect from 1 July 2016. Exceptions from the requirement to use low sulphur fuel are provided in some circumstances, for example, ship safety and emergency situations or technical problems. Ships may seek approval from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to use alternative methods to achieve an equivalent reduction in sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions, for example, the use of exhaust scrubbers.
Overnight Cruise Ship Visits Suspended in White Bay
The New South Wales (NSW) Port Authority has suspended all overnight cruise ship visits to White Bay until the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has regulated ultra-low sulphur fuel use for ships berthing at the terminal. Port Authority of NSW CEO, Grant Gilfillan, said previous overnight cruise ship visits to White Bay Cruise Terminal and the adjoining berth named White Bay 4 had caused concern to some residents, particularly unscheduled overnight arrivals. The first people to hear about this voluntary measure were members of the Port Authority's Glebe Island and White Bay Community Liaison Group, when they met on Monday evening.
Orica Fined Heavily for Australian Pollution Incidents
Orica Australia Pty Ltd has been convicted and penalised $768,250 in relation to charges brought by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for pollution incidents at Orica’s Kooragang Island and Botany plants. This includes a fine of $211,750 for the pollution incident that affected residents of Stockton, Newcastle, on Monday 8 August 2011, informs the NSW EPA. The NSW Land and Environment Court also required Orica to pay the EPA’s investigation costs of approximately $65,000 and the EPA’s legal costs. The Court ordered that the fine be paid to fund six projects in Newcastle and one at Botany aimed at restoring and enhancing the environment.
