EGCSA wants no 'green wash' in 2010
EGCSA director Don Gregory says that the global industry must follow North America and encourage exhaust gas cleaning
The Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association (EGCSA) says the industry must follow the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s leadership in sulphur reduction policies.
EGCSA stated that the US EPA decision to accept exhaust gas cleaning systems as a viable means of reducing emissions is a clear directive for environmental leaders within the shipping industry to show their true ‘green credentials’ in embracing all means of emissions reductions.
The move by the US EPA and Environment Canada, which was confirmed at the end of December 2009, states that the regulation will require all vessels operating within 200 miles of the US and Canadian coastlines to use fuels with either 0.1% sulphur levels or achieve the equivalent by alternative means.
Don Gregory, director, EGCSA, commented: “To have mandated a fuel-only solution would have been contrary to the IMO MARPOL Convention 73/78. Therefore, the EPA decision sends a clear message to the shipping industry that innovation and technology must be viewed as the most effective, viable and sustainable way of reducing sulphur oxide emissions.”
There is a fear amongst legislators and environment groups that the economic downturn will impact environmental compliance and corporate responsibility standards, despite organizations within the shipping industry raising their profile as environmental leaders. Despite these misgivings, the EGCSA believes that the shipping industry will see that, in the case of scrubbing, installing units on ships makes economic sense.
Gregory continued: “Many shipping companies are claiming environmental leadership and are benefiting from the commercial value that it generates for their brands. If these companies don’t now look to trial and potentially invest in scrubbing technology based on the potential impact that it can have on reducing emissions, then it could be argued they are ‘green washing’ and not living up to their corporate mantra or responsibility.”
As well as being cost effective, given the predicted price of distillate fuels that would be required to meet compliance in the ECAs, exhaust gas cleaning systems will also help ship owners and operators meet the 85% reduction in particulate matter emissions that is also being demanded by the US/Canada directive.
Gregory concluded: “There are real questions over the impact that distillate fuel has on reducing the smaller, harmful particulates that cause the health concerns that we have seen over the past few years. Again, scrubbing technology solves this problem as well as reducing black carbon emissions, which is believed to significantly impact the melting of the Arctic ice caps, one of the most serious climate change issues”
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