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The Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association (EGCSA) has stated that the United States' Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to begin consultation on the legislative implementation of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI is central to the widespread adoption of exhaust gas cleaning technologies by the shipping industry.

"EGCSA is very encouraged of this federal approach to facilitating consistent treatment of technology across all US ports, and in particular it will see California rescind its current rule which mandates prescribed fuel qualities to be used within 20 miles of the state’s coastline.

Commenting on the EPA announcement - supported by Environment Canada - for the implementation of Emission Control Areas (ECAs) along North American coastlines, Don Gregory, Director, EGCSA said: “For vessels that do not wish to ‘switch’ fuels when entering the US and Canadian ECA, scrubbing technology is the viable option for meeting the 0.1% sulphur regulation. I am also confident that once this ruling is passed, it will act as a stepping-stone enabling adoption of alternative solutions in Californian waters stimulating further development of these IMO-approved technologies.”

“There also has been a very welcome confirmation from the US EPA that it will support the equivalency option embodied in Regulation 4 of the Amended MARPOL Annex VI for vessels transiting into and visiting US ports and inland waterways.”

Gregory also believes that there needs to be far more transparency within the industry in understanding the full extent of the challenges for emissions reduction that lie ahead, as well as the viable options and solutions that are available.

“Industry leaders and legislators have not had access to sufficient information to enable optimal strategic planning to meet future emissions legislation,” said Gregory. “This is exemplified when we consider that some new-build vessels continue to be delivered which follow stock designs and machinery layouts and have not taken into account the changing demands of environmental legislation.”

Gregory continued: “We must also ensure throughout this period that there is equal transparency and independent verification of claims from technology manufacturers when communicating the benefits and performance of their innovations and new designs. These developments are essential to drive progression towards a more sustainable future. Exhaust gas cleaning systems are a good example of this.

"The reality is that the technology is clearly the obvious choice for ship operators as they look to meet requirements for sustainability, emissions compliance assurance, operational simplification and economic viability. However, we at the EGCSA realise that there is a need to assure prospective purchasers that these technologies are sufficiently mature, independently verified and includes a degree of operational experience. Open dialogue with the industry is key to driving this process forward.”

In line with this, and in addition to finalizing the Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems at MEPC 59 in July, the EGCSA said it will shortly publish operational information from several new pilot sea-trial projects.