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02/08/2012 - Review of the sulphur directive in line with the IMO Marpol treaty
In May there was some commotion in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament concerning a possible departure from the 0.1% sulphur standard that is supposed to be introduced as from 2015 in the "Emission Controlled Area's (ECAs)", specifically in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel. The shipowners in particular are opposed to this because of the possible "reverse modal shift" (from the sea back to the road) induced by higher fuel prices.
After an intervention of Denmark, acting as European president, that standard will indeed apply to the ECAs from 2015 onward. As from 2020 the 0.5% sulphur standard will come into effect in all other European waters. In this case no further postponement is planned.
In the context of the future review of the air quality directive (presumably in 2013) it will be examined whether the 0.1% sulphur standard (2015 in ECAs) can be introduced in all territorial waters of the EU (12 miles).
