Wed 23 May 2018 09:45

UK sets out plan to tackle maritime emissions


Clean Air Strategy includes measures related to ECAs, zero-emissions shipping, greener fuels and port air quality.


Michael Gove, UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Image: Flickr
The UK government's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affaires (Defra) on Tuesday released its Clean Air Strategy 2018, which includes measures relating to Emission Control Areas (ECAs), zero-emissions shipping, the development of greener fuels and port air quality plans.

Outlining the key measures, the government said it will, by March 2019, consult on options for extending the current ECA in UK waters, and consult on options for new domestic regulations to reduce emissions from domestic ships - which could be through the application of international emission standards.

Also, by May 2019, all major English ports should produce Air Quality Strategies setting out their plans to reduce emissions, including ship and shore activities. These plans are to be reviewed periodically to establish if the measures implemented are effective or further government action is required.

Additionally, by the summer of 2018, a new government-led Clean Maritime Council is to be introduced to bring together different parts of the maritime sector to drive the uptake of cleaner technologies and greener fuels.

According to Defra data for 2016, domestic shipping (ships that start and end their journey in the UK) accounted for 11 percent of the UK's total domestic nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, 2 percent of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) air pollution and 7 percent of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions.

Defra also observed that international shipping (ships that go to or come from international destinations) emissions have "a significant impact on air quality in the UK due to shipping lanes and engine operation while at UK ports".

"The government is committed to driving down emissions from ships and reducing the impact of emissions from the maritime sector on the environment and public health," the Clean Air Strategy report said.

Referring to the Department for Transport's recently proposed Maritime 2050 strategy, which aims to develop a long-term plan to create a sustainable future for the UK maritime sector, Defra noted that environment will be a key theme of the strategy.

As part of the 2050 vision, Defra says it will work with stakeholders to develop, by the spring of 2019, the first UK Clean Maritime Plan - setting out policies to reduce greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions from shipping, and to underpin the long-term vision of zero-emissions shipping.

Referring to Brexit in the plan, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, remarked: "Leaving the EU marks a new chapter for the UK. We have an opportunity to set world-leading standards on everything from marine conservation to clean air strategies, and to set a gold standard for environmental protection.

"We will be able to set out a new direction for our environment, based on rigorous scientific research and underpinned by the legal principles that have done so much to improve our environment in the past. It is my profound hope that we will use the opportunity presented by leaving the EU to become a world leader in environmental excellence."


Marius Kairys, CEO of Elenger Sp. z o.o. Elenger enters Polish LNG bunkering market with ferry refuelling operation  

Baltic energy firm completes maiden truck-to-ship LNG delivery in Gdansk.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) virtual reality (VR) training program developed in collaboration with Evergreen. SHI develops VR training solutions for Evergreen's methanol-fuelled ships  

Shipbuilder creates virtual reality program for 16,500 TEU boxship operations.

Illustratic image of Itochu's newbuild ammonia bunkering vessel, scheduled for delivery in September 2027. Itochu orders 5,000 cbm ammonia bunker vessel  

Japanese firm targets Singapore demonstration after October 2027, with Zeta Bunkering lined up to perform deliveries.

Bunkering of the Glovis Selene car carrier. Shell completes first LNG bunkering operation with Hyundai Glovis in Singapore  

Energy major supplies fuel to South Korean logistics firm's dual-fuel vessel.

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) vessel. CPN delivers first B30 marine gasoil to OOCL in Hong Kong  

Chimbusco Pan Nation claims to be first in region to supply all grades of ISCC-EU certified marine biofuel.

The Buffalo 404 barge, owned by Buffalo Marine Service Inc., performing a bunker delivery. TFG Marine installs first ISO-certified mass flow meter on US Gulf bunker barge  

Installation marks expansion of company's digitalisation programme across global fleet.

Sogestran's fuel supply vessel, the Anatife, at the port of Belle-Île-en-Mer. Sogestran's HVO-powered tanker achieves 78% CO2 reduction on French island fuel runs  

Small tanker Anatife saves fuel while supplying Belle-Île and Île d'Yeu.

Crowley 1,400 TEU LNG-powered containership, Tiscapa. Crowley deploys LNG-powered boxship Tiscapa for Caribbean and Central American routes  

Vessel is the third in company's Avance Class fleet to enter service.

The inland LNG bunker vessel LNG London. LNG London completes 1,000 bunkering operations in Rotterdam and Antwerp  

Delivery vessel reaches milestone after five years of operations across ARA hub.

The M.V. COSCO Shipping Yangpu, China's first methanol dual-fuel containership. COSCO vessel completes maiden green methanol bunkering at Yangpu  

China's first methanol dual-fuel containership refuels with green methanol derived from urban waste.


↑  Back to Top


 Recommended