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With increasing awareness regarding the environment and how emissions from diesel
engines can affect air quality, there are new regulations that aim at minimizing the emission of
sulphur oxides, nitrous oxides, particulate matter and carbon dioxide from diesel engines used in
large ships (DNV, 2013). The IMO (International Maritime Organization) has adopted engine
and fuel standards based on the Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) according to which certain coastal areas have been designated
as Emission Control Areas (ECA) and ships operating in these areas are required to meet tighter
emission limits (DNV, 2013). The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy
Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) adopted by the IMO in 2011 have been put into force
since January 2013 (DNV, 2013). According to Tier-I regulations, the fuel sulfur standards in
ECAs will be 10,000 ppm starting July 2010 and the fuel sulfur standards for other areas will be
35,000 ppm starting January 2012 (EPA, 2008). In the context of nitrous oxides, emissions will
be reduced by 15-20% starting July 2010 (Tier I) and by 20% starting January 2011 (Tier II)
(EPA, 2008). Beginning in 2015, all ships that are operating in ECAs will be required to use fuel
with no more than 1,000 parts per million (ppm) sulfur (Tier II) (EPA, 2008). These ships must
also have high technology engines that would cut emissions of ozone-forming oxides of nitrogen
by 80% starting January 2016 (Tier III). According to MARPOL Annex VI, by 2015, operators
will have to choose between installing exhaust gas cleaning systems known as scrubbers and
switching to low sulphur fuel for all ships operating in an ECA (DNV, 2013). Scrubbers are
generally huge and would require alterations to the ships infrastructure. Low sulphur fuel
options would be either expensive distillates such as Marine Gas Oil (MGO) with 0.1% sulphur
or LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) (DNV, 2013). In 2020 or by 2025, after an IMO review in 2018,
the 0.5% sulphur global cap will be enforced (Tier III) (DNV, 2013). This means, in areas other
than the ECAs, ships can use fuel with at most 5,000 ppm starting January 2020 (EPA, 2008).
These new international standards contained in the Annex VI amendments will be applicable for
all new marine diesel engines above 130 kW (175 hp) and all marine diesel fuels (DNV, 2013).
References
DNV (Det Norske Veritas) (2013). Shipping 2020. Accessed online on October 15 2013 at
http://www.dnv.nl/binaries/shipping%202020%20-%20final%20report_tcm141-
530559.pdf
EPA (2008). International Maritime Organization Adopts Program to Control Air Emissions
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/nonroad/marine/ci/420f08033.pdf