US ratifies air pollution legislation

Fri 10 Oct 2008, 09:35 GMT

US ratifies air pollution legislation

US becomes 53rd country to ratify MARPOL Annex VI.

The United States of America has become the 53rd state to ratify Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), with the deposition of an instrument of ratification with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Annex VI, which was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in May 2005, regulates the discharge of atmospheric pollutants from ships. Among other things, it set, for the first time, limits on sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ships’ exhausts; prohibited deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances and put a global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil.

This latest ratification, which brings to 81.88 the percentage of gross world merchant shipping tonnage covered by the aforementioned regulations, took place yesterday as a detailed review of the provisions of Annex VI was reaching a conclusion.

IMO Policy United States


		Guangzhou Shipyard secures Suezmax order, delivers vessels ahead of schedule China State Shipbuilding subsidiary reports nine vessel deliveries in the first quarter of 2026.

		Renewable ammonia pipeline grows despite Norway project freeze GENA Solutions tracks 325 projects totalling 146 MMT of capacity by 2034 despite execution challenges.

		Exmar names world’s first ocean-going ammonia dual-fuel gas carriers in South Korea Two 46,000-cbm vessels can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% during navigation.

		Gulf Marine expands bonded lubricant supply network in China’s Fujian province Company adds supply points in Putian, Ningde and Fuqing, covering 20 terminals across the region.

		Bureau Veritas classifies Excelerate Energy’s new 170,000-cbm FSRU Excelerate Acadia Vessel built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries features dual-fuel engines and proprietary regasification system.

		Osprey Energy seeks junior bunker trader to support Cebu trading activities from Netherlands Dutch marine fuel supplier targets Cebu region expansion through new training programme for Filipino candidates.

		KPI OceanConnect highlights falling EUA prices as opportunity for shipowners to lock in compliance costs Marine fuel firm says timing carbon allowance purchases can reduce costs as EU emissions scope expands.

		RINA partners with Hanwha Group on battery-hybrid propulsion for ro-ro ferries Classification society to provide regulatory compliance verification for hybrid battery systems on newbuilds and retrofits.

		HGK Shipping’s Amadeus Titanium fitted with wind assistance system Coastal vessel equipped with VentoFoils at Dutch port to reduce fuel consumption on Covestro routes.

		Bunker One expands physical supply operations to Tallinn and Finland Marine fuel supplier extends Baltic Sea coverage with new operational presence in Estonia and Finland.