Opposition to IMO Design Index

Feb 8, 2010

From Lloyd's List

The IMO environment committee, MEPC, has its work cut out as it faces detailed debate on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and baseline formula. Differing approaches to the design index for newbuildings could hamper the efforts of the IMO to have it become mandatory soon. IMO members have been developing the energy efficiency design index as one of the key tools to prove that the organisation has the direction and capabilities to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.

Developed over the last 18 months, the index has been created to allow a set of benchmark levels for different ship types to be created and to then mandate future newbuildings to strive to be below a specific benchmark. However, the fundamental issues on the structure of the equation of the index, the formula for the benchmark and the definition and use of different ship types, has yet to be resolved.

EU Ports Sulphur Rule Clarified

Feb 7, 2010

From Baird Maritime

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has released a statement to help dispel some confusion surrounding implementation of the EU directive requiring all ships to use low-sulphur fuel while at berth in EU ports. The EU Directive requires that, with effect from January 1, 2010, member states must take all necessary steps to ensure that ships at berth in EU ports do not use marine fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1 percent by mass. Although reports have been circulating in the industry that, because of the potential safety risks associated with the switchover on ships with unmodified boilers, the deadline may have been put back, IBIA stressed that such is not the case.