Tue 22 Sep 2009 09:19

Jamaica: Maritime Authority calls for emissions framework


Director of Legal Affairs says Jamaica has an obligation to implement measures to reduce emissions from ships.



The Director of Legal Affairs at the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Bertrand Smith [pictured], has said that the country has an obligation to ensure that mechanisms are put in place to reduce the risk of an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from ships calling at Jamaican ports.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) think tank regarding Maritime Awareness Week (September 20-25), Smith said that Jamaica will need to implement the necessary legal and administrative framework to ensure that ships comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards on greenhouse gas emissions.

Smith said that while ships account for only 2.7% of total global emissions, Jamaica was obliged to implement measures introduced by the IMO to further reduce harmful emissions from ships.

"As a coastal state, we encourage more ships to call at our ports. However, with more ships, we will be encouraging more greenhouse gases to be emitted in our area," he stated.

"We therefore have an obligation to ensure that we put in mechanisms, if possible, to reduce the risk of an increase in CO2 and other gases emitted by ships which call at our ports," he added.

Smith stressed that as a coastal state with 95 percent of its trade coming by sea, climate change will pose a challenge for Jamaica's maritime industry.

Commenting on the MARPOL convention, which deals with the regulation of air pollution and has been ratified by Jamaica, Smith said "What this protocol does is it ensures that bunkers that the ships use, have no more than 4.5% of sulphur content."

He added that the Maritime Authority of Jamaica is currently in discussions with local bunker suppliers including Petrojam Ltd, to ensure that the fuel supplied to ships meets the standard.

"This protocol allows countries to establish sulphur emission areas, whereby ships that go to these particular areas have to use fuel with 1.5% sulphur content."

"This ensures that the ship's emissions do not contribute to climate change," he said.


Lease agreement between Inter Terminals Sweden and the Port of Gothenburg, signed on July 1st. Pictured: Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Port of Gothenburg (left) and Johan Zettergren, Managing Director of Inter Terminals Sweden (right). New Gothenburg lease an opportunity to expand green portfolio: Inter Terminals  

Bunker terminal operator eyes tank conversion and construction projects for renewable products.

Map of US Gulf. Peninsula extends US Gulf operation offshore  

Supplier to focus on Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) in strategy to serve growing client base.

The M/T Jutlandia Swan, operated by Uni-Tankers. Uni-Tankers vessel gets wind-assisted propulsion  

Fourth tanker sails with VentoFoil units as manufacturer says suction wing technology is gaining traction.

Port of Gothenburg Energy Port. Swedish biomethane bunkered in Gothenburg  

Test delivery performed by St1 and St1 Biokraft, who aim to become large-scale suppliers.

Image from Cockett Marine Oil presentation. Cockett to be closed down after 45 years  

End of an era as shareholders make decision based on 'non-core nature' of Cockett's business.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras confirms prompt availability of VLS B24 at Rio Grande  

Lead time for barge deliveries currently five days.

Opening of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 83rd Session, April 7, 2025. IMO approves pricing mechanism based on GHG intensity thresholds  

Charges to be levied on ships that do not meet yearly GHG fuel intensity reduction targets.

Preemraff Göteborg, Preem's wholly owned refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. VARO Energy expands renewable portfolio with Preem acquisition  

All-cash transaction expected to complete in the latter half of 2025.

Pictured: Biofuel is supplied to NYK Line's Noshiro Maru. The vessel tested biofuel for Tohoku Electric Power in a landmark first for Japan. NYK trials biofuel in milestone coal carrier test  

Vessel is used to test biofuel for domestic utility company.

Pictured (from left): H-Line Shipping CEO Seo Myungdeuk and HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol at the contract signing ceremony for the construction of an 18,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel. H-Line Shipping orders LNG bunkering vessel  

Vessel with 18,000-cbm capacity to run on both LNG and MDO.


↑  Back to Top


 Recommended