Sign up
Log in Sign up
Mon 28 Jan 2013, 13:44 GMT

EC approves changes to cleaner ship scheme


Amendments are said to provide owners with an incentive to use cleaner fuel in ships.

The European Commission (EC) has said that amendments to an existing Finnish scheme supporting investment in cleaner ships are in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, it concluded that the amendments are aimed towards providing ship owners with incentives to use less polluting fuel, ahead of the entry into force of EU standards.

Joaquín Almunia, Commission Vice President in charge of competition policy, said: "This Finnish scheme demonstrates how the current state aid rules can be used for encouraging the maritime industry to adapt to stricter environmental rules ahead of their entry into force."

The EC authorized the initial Finnish scheme in 2011. The following year, it adopted a new Sulphur Directive. The amendments notified by the Finnish authorities aim at adapting the existing scheme to the more stringent rules on sulphur limits in marine fuel that will apply as from 1 January 2015 in the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), which includes the English Channel, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Changes made to the scheme allow owners, under certain conditions, to finance the acquisition of new ships or the adaptation of old ships, provided they operate under stricter environmental standards than currently in force in the EU.

"The aid provides a real incentive and is necessary to achieve the intended objective. It will result in bringing forward by up to two years the use of less polluting fuel in ships," said the EC.

"No aid will be granted after the entry into force of the new standards," the EC added.

Hapag-Lloyd and DSV logo side by side. Hapag-Lloyd and DSV sign 18,000-tonne CO2e reduction agreement for sustainable marine fuels  

Two-year framework allows inclusion of alternative fuels beyond biofuels in shipping decarbonisation partnership.
Bangkok city skyline. Uni-Fuels opens Thailand office as part of Southeast Asia expansion  

Marine fuel supplier establishes Bangkok entity, appoints managing director with 15 years’ industry experience.
Washington State Hybrid-Electric 160-Auto Ferry vessel render. Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for Washington State Ferries hybrid vessels  

ABB selects Corvus for two new 160-vehicle ferries as part of $3.98bn electrification plan.
Vinssen and Mana Engineering sign MoU. Vinssen, Mana Engineering partner on hydrogen fuel cell retrofit for 800-teu feeder vessel  

South Korean and Dutch firms to pursue Lloyd’s Register approval for hybrid retrofit concept.
Hercules Elisabeth vessel. Hercules Tanker Management takes delivery of second Ultra-Spec vessel in China  

Hercules Elisabeth is the second of 10 hybrid-ready tankers designed for alternative fuels.
Wolf 1 vessel. Petrol Ofisi launches fuel supply tanker Wolf 1  

Turkish bunker supplier adds 1,750-dwt vessel with alternative fuel infrastructure to fleet.
BIMCO meeting. BIMCO to convene for adoption of biofuel clause and ETS provisions at February meeting  

Documentary Committee to consider new contractual frameworks for alternative fuels and emission trading scheme compliance.
Sea Change II vessel render. Incat Crowther and Switch Maritime develop 150-passenger hydrogen ferry for New York  

Design work begins on 28-metre vessel with 720 kg hydrogen capacity and 25-knot speed.
Aerial view of a container vessel. HIF Global signs heads of agreement with German eFuel One for 100,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually  

Deal covers supply from HIF’s Uruguay project, with e-methanol meeting EU RED III standards.
Welcoming of Kota Odyssey at Jordan’s Aqaba Container Terminal. PIL’s LNG-powered vessel makes maiden call at Jordan’s Aqaba port  

Kota Odyssey is Pacific International Lines’ first LNG-fuelled ship to call at the Red Sea port.




 Recommended